The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-20
CAR SEES THE SHADOW
WATERS OF NEVA RIVER
BLESSED BY HIS CHURCH
Baptism of the Savior Is Common
GRATED with Great Ceremony
at St. Petersburg.
PROCESSION OF CLERGY
Grand Dukes, Court Officials and
Army Oficers-Gorgeous Dis
play of Uniforms.

ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 19.-The Car
made his first public appearance this season
at to-day's solemn ceremony of blessing the
waters In the orthodox church this rite
Is commemorative of the baptism of the
Savior. 1t took place in an open chapel.
built out on a quay, extending far from the
winter palace. 1t was preceded by a re-
ligious service within the palace. which was
attended by the imperial family, with the
exception of the Czarina whose condition
was such as to prevent her being present,
and the court officials nobility and repre-
sentatives of the foreign powers. The lat
ter drove to the palace in great state, with
outriders, wearing the traditional hunting
knives. belts, caps and streaming plumes
of the national colors.
The scene outside the chapel was ex-
tremely impressive The thermometer regis
tered below zero. and the atmosphere was
clear. In the background was the sprawl
Ing. pink city, snow-mantled, over which
the gilded domes of the churches hung like
golden bubbles blown against a blue sky.
In front was the broad. frozen Neva, the
banks and bridges massed with humanity.
Along the quay the people were held back
by troop of mounted gendarmes. The
bare-headed procession moved through dou-
BILE lines of imperial infantry and a sailor
guard from the palace to the chapel, with
the cross and gospel held aloft. preceded
by the metropolitan and higher clergy, in
gold-embroidered vestments, with church
banners, and followed by the scarlet
gowned court choir, the chamberlains and
other court officials.
GORGEOUS DISPLAY.
Then came the officers of crack regiments,
without their overcoats. thus permitting a
gorgeous Display of uniforms, bearing the
battle flags of the empire. Next was the
magnificent chevalier guard, in white TUNES
with gold cuirassiers and double-eagled he'll
NETS, hussars and red lancers, with sable
tipped headgear and crimson facings.
The grand dukes Immediately preceded
the Car, who carried himself easily. He
wore a simple uniform, that of the famous
Preobrajensky Regiment, the cross of st.
Andrew glittering on his breast This was
his only decoration. The Gar, who held
his helmet in his hand, looked strong and
we'll
A rocket streaming up from the middle of
the river signaled his Majesty's appearance.
which was greeted with a salvo of artillery
OF 101 guns from the fortress of SIS. Peter
and Paul, punctuated with the simultaneous
Ginning CT bells throughout the city.
When the Car had taken up his position
in the chapel and the ice below had been
broken, the metropolitan blessed the shad-
owy waters and the cross was dipped thrice
therein.
The diplomatic corps and the ladies of the
court witnessed the brief ceremony from
the window of the palace. United States
Ambassador Mccormick and Mrs. McCor-
mick, Secretary Eddy, of the embassy, Ma
val Attache Smith and the Japanese minis
ter NJ kurino. were among those present.
When the rite was finished thousands of
people swarmed across the ice and dipped
up water with which to sanctify their
homes.
Similar ceremonies were observed
throughout Russia.
The diplomats, exchanging views at the
palace, unanimously agreed that the Russo
japanese situation has much improved.