Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-06-27
Peculiar Wedding Ceremony Russian Holy Jumper Church America

bridesmaid Behind stood the respective
mothers of the participants.
At different places in the proceedings
the bride tNeyestal and groom tJenich)
were made to repeat vows after the
chief elder, the parents joining in con-
cert, the elder (Starikl muttering in
low voice the acknowledgements eacted
The church Sobramie) was in uproar in
the rear because of crying babies and
children coming and going, but the at
tendants on the wedding that involved
only married people in the statuesque
men and women present, stood motionless
except when singing and at times falling
on knees for prayer. When even this
act was done. the elder stood and prayed
a few moments and then he too, fell on
his knees and continued the prayer. TO
arise a few minutes ahead of the entire
assemblage rising to their feet. The
proceedings were interpreted by my guide,
and everything was appropriate and con-
scquential, flooded by deepest piety and
worship of God.
At one point the marriage party
father, groom. bride, maid-were joined
together by a silk kerchef held by the
contiguous hands, signifying bonded and
then the parents were led to stand beside
the elders while the chief participants
came and knelt before their progenitors
for blessing and to acknowledge their
gratitude to them for bringing them into
the world and the care bestowed through
youth. The groom first knelt, and the
hands of mother and father were piled
one above the other on his head, and
words uttered in blessing him. Then the
parents of the bride did the same. Then
mutual kissing of parents, but never did
the marrying pair seem to caress. Much
kissing was done. Praise and thanks
giving abounded. and such rapt faces as
/ saw were beyond description. 1t were
sacrilege to undertake to describe them.
The devout blessings invoked by the
several elders were impressive. The alb
ject promises required of the bride (Ne-
vesta), to obey and serve her husband
and ever be subject to his word-the in
junction upon the husband to care for
and cfeave only unto her, and of each to
increase, multiply and replensh the
earth were more than solemnly given.
In very truth, it was the most devout
ceremony | ever witnessed. The crown
ing of pope could not have been more
so.
After a while. the bride and her party
came to our side. shook our hands in
passing without a word except my own
embarrassed good wishes" in wringing
their hands Long tables covered with
where a few friends silently grasped
their hands. Lond tables covered with
white cloths. were quickly prepared:
huge loaves of bread placed. saucers of
salt--a most essential article and with
out which the bread was profane-disbes
of raisins and large Russian samovars
of antique brass, steaming with tea, and
holding twenty cups in each. were rang
ed along on the tables. The unmarried
people never approached the wedding
party of men and women. but stood aloof.
nor sat at tables either when the supper
was served,
One singular fact was the seating of
the bride and groom at table apart.
where young children were placed with
the marrying pair, and the duties of
manhood and womanhood opened before
them. with all the responsibilities of
married life and maturity. AT one point
a group of pretty girls about the age OF
the bride, trooped in quietly to stand
and gaze a while at the bride, as bidding
her. their erstwhile chum, farewell and
God speed; these girls fading away as
quietly as they came.
The feasting was unique in that these
tremendous loaves of bread were carved
into slices eight inches long. four inches
wide and almost two inches thick, laid
before each sitter at tables. Tea was
drawn from the samovars and drunk in
frequent glasses, some ranging from five
TO IL glassfuls. 1t was sweetened by
cubes of white sugar from dishes on the
table, though l was told honey often
served this purpose The salt dish stood
prominent. as distinctive part of the
feast. When the bread. raisins and tea
was despatched, the remnants we're re-
moved, and large wooden scoop-like
spoons, with handles exauisitely wrapped
with sort of rattan. so neatly done as
to require close scrutiny to detect the
were laid before each. Then
came huge bowls of cabbage soup. de-
licious in odor and taste. The spoons
were dipped in the several bowls that
stood in the center of the table at con-
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