The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-10
DRAMATIC CELEBRATION
Of THE RUSSIAN EASTER
IN THE GREEK CHURCHES
Genuine Democracy Reigns for
One Night in the Worlds
Greatest Autocracy.
CAR KISSES A SENTRY
And the Highest Noble Exchanges
Salutations with the Low
est Peasant.
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION
Impressive Ceremonies in the Ca
thedrals-The Car and Gar
ina Participate.
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION

lid a IN paw
ST. PETERSBURG, April 10.-The Rus
sian Church and the Russian people at
midnight celebrated the resurrection OF the
Savior For dramatic effect this Russian
Easter service is unrivaled. For this one
night the spirit of genuine democracy
reigns in sutocratic Russia Upon the ac-
claiming of the rising Of Christ the great
white Car salutes with a kiss the sentry
posted at the palace door and the highest
dignitary and the lowest mujik exchange
joyful tidings with equal freedom.
In honor of the great religious festival
Russias capital was adorned and illumi-
mated From every building hung the ma
tionaI colors and in every window burned
candle. privilege permitted only on this
red-letter night of the Russian calendar.
The most popular places of the celebra-
tion OF the event were Peter the Greats
little house across the Neva, where reposes
the ikon which. according to Russian le-
gends saved the day at Poltava, the Ca
thedral OF Our Lady of Kasan. who helped
drive the Poles back from Moscow, where
are preserved Napoleon's eagles and tat
tered French battle riags, and the famous
Cathedral OF St. Isaac, where are deposited
ikons world renowned for their priceless
gems. But it the service in the
chapel of the Winter Palace, which was
attended by the Car, who is the head OF
the church as well as of the state, that the
real interest centereG. Although the spec
tace there was beyond the reach OF the
multitude, each individual felt a personal
connection Herewith, knowing that the
Cars own words signaled over the city
would proclaim the glad tidings- The scene
at the palace was one OF stately magnif1-
cence. The ceremony was carried out in
accordance with the strictest Journalism.
The Russian court. the nobility. councillors;
ministers Of the empire all the high digni
taries OF state and officers OF the army
and navy came by imperial command and
We're ranged about the walls of a long sue
cesSion OF salons.
BRILLIANT PICTURE
The multi-colored uniforms. the dresses
of the court ladies' and the decorations
made brilliant picture In the marble
concert hall, which was flooded with light,
were gathered the maids of honor of the
Czarina, dressed in sarafins of brightest
hued velvet, kokoshniks resembling tiaras
ablase with gems. and curtains of gold
embroidery. AT the door of the chapel two
erenadiers stood guard. The doors leading
Co the imperial apartments were guarded
by the Cars manelukes and Arab foot
men. their swarthy faces half hidden by
their headdresS
At IL 80 a second gun doomed from the
fortress of ST Peter and st. Paul, on the
opposite side of the Neva Within the
church the solemn service was proceeding.
Behind the ikonias, which concealed the
holy sepulchre from all eyes, the mystery
took place: Then the court chaplain ap-
preached the golden gates, the doors New
open and the winding sheet was lifted.
The tomb empty. Turning as Christ $
disciples did, the clergy, with the banners
OF the church aloft. passed to the door
reached the entrance the Cars Arabs
threw wide the portals, revealing the I'M
Gfrr1ttlt lta Crrelt fha i'm
perial choir of men and boys began to
chant The procession moved into the
chapel. the clergy retreating to the high
altar as il advanced. The members of the
imperial family walked arm in arm in the
order of their rank. which disregarded the
The Car wore the uniform of the foot
guards with the blue ribbon of the Order
Of St. Andrew on his breast He escorted
his mother, who was arrayed in white The
Czarina, in white. leaned on the arm of the
heir apparent. At the head OF the apse be-
fore the altar formed of malachite, lapis
lazuii and jasper, iniaid with gold and
Jewels, the imperial procession halted and
Court Chaplain Yanssheff announced:
Christ Is risen.
Christ is risen, indeed. replied the Car.
As these words were pronounced the choir
began to sing
SUDDEN TRANSPORTATION.
Outside a rocket shot into the sky. the
cannon at the fortress roared and all the
bells of the city rang out. At the same
time all the churches, which had been
darkened, were illuminated and huge
torches fiared up at the four angles of the
Cathedral of st. Isaac. In the streets be-
low every window was candle lighted and
every head barred. Then followed
scenes OF rejoicing. men and women. ire
speetive of class. embraced and kissed each
other before returning home to the Easter
feast
Similar ra foiciroS. occurred ar the r,aIace
After paschal hymns and mass had been
sung the Gar embraced first the CZarina,
bers of the imperial family. kissing each
three times and exchanging the salutation
Christ is risen. He is risen. indeed.
The conclusion of the service was marked
by the firing of 10 guns from the fortress.
AS the Car lett the chapel he stopped to
greet the. sentinels at the door. kissing
spending reverently to their sovereign S
greeting. Through each hall the Car
passed repeating the salutations. taking
care 10 address the guards who responded
at present arms" Then the imperial fam
lily withdrew TO the malachite drawing
room. where. with a number of particular
guests, they sat down TO an Easter sup
per.
Yesterday morning at o'clock in all the
orthodox churches occurred the ceremony
OF the burial of Christ. Preceded by the
clergy bearing lanterns and silver crosses
representing the crusifixion. and carried
or their shoulders. the bishops and deacons
passed around the outside OF the
followed by long funeral procession. after
which the crosses were borne lnsiue and
were deposited in the sepulchers-
All the papers yesterday expressed the
hope that the sound of the church bells 81
Eastert!de would not be broken by the
booming OF guns at Port Arthur: The Lis
tok said. Let us hope that the God OF
Peace will soften the hearts of our foes
at least Easter morning" So far as
known there cannonading any
where in the far East
MOscovy's Celebration.