Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-24
LAST RITES OVER sEReIUs.

The solemn ceremony of blessing the
remains OF The Grand Duke Sergins was
performed at 10 O. clock yesterday morn
ing 10 the midst of the tolIing of bells
of all the churches and monast,ries Of
Moscow. Immense crowds thronged
the open squares in front of the palaces
and there was considerable display Of
troops in the streets. Grenadiers Of the
KieR regiment furnished tine guard at
the Chandoff monastery, which was the
scene of the funeral services.
So far as the public was concerned
nothing could be seen beyond the car
riages of those invited to the funeral,
which quickly filled the small available
space. After blessing the body it was
conveyed to the adjoining church of St.
Andrew, where it was laid on cata-
faIoue. The coffin was concealed by
mass of floral wreaths and crosses. The
officials of Grand Duke Sergius' house
hold and his aides de-camp formed a
circle around the bier while the regiments
of the Moscow garrison furnished con-
tingenls for the guard of honor.
The scene within the church was
pathetic The guard of honor was
drawn back as the imperial party entered
10 take their places before the bier.
The coffin in which rested the remains
of the murdered Grand Duke stood upon
a great catafalque covered with cloth OF
gold. on the four corners of which we're
imperial eagles, while below on cushions
rested the orders of the dead man. The
coffin was covered with cloth OF silver
trimmed with ermine. The mangled
body lay in state, dressed in full uni.
form, but veil of fine lace was disposed
over the remains of the multilated
face A gloysd hand held an ikon OF st.
Nicholas.
The Grand Dukes widow, the Grand
Duchess Elizabeth, took her place at
the foot of the coffin in front Of a group
of other members of the imperial FAM
ily. She was arrayed in the deepest
black. save the scarlet ribbon of the
Order of St. Anne, and was the center of
all eyes.
The metropolitan and 10 bishops con-
Quoted the service, which was accom-
panied By recitative chanting by the inn
perial chsir
The air of the church was heavy with
the incense of swinging censers. When
the metropolitan read the prayer for abb
solution all present knelt, many OF those
in the rear of the church prostrating
themselves.
The children of Grand Duke Plul-
Dmitri and Mary-sobbed aloud, but it
was only when the time came o kiss the
dead, according to the custom of the or
thodox faith, that the Grand Duchess
Elizabeth almost broke down. Her tall,
slight figure shook aud swayed, and she
was about to iall, when Grand Duke
Constantine gave her support. She
kissed the uniform On the left breast
thrice. When this touching ordeal was
over the lid was placed on the cotfis, and
it was lifted up and borne on the shoul-
ders of the grand dukes and a'des-dc camp
attached to Grand Duke Sergius' house
hold. and Carried in silent procession,
preceded by priests in golden vestments
to the church of St. Andrew, within the
monastery.
There a brief service of consignment
to the grave took place, after which the
body was placed in vault, where it will
remain until removed to St. Petersburg.
Exactly at noon as the ceremony con-
cluded Moscow's 500 bells began tolling,
and the people who gathered on Red
Square dispersed The estreets were quleter
than usual. Most of the shops were
closed.