HOW A CZAR IS CROWNED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VII, 18 August 1894, Page 149

HOW A CZAR IS CROWNED.

The coronation of a Czar is perhaps the most girgeous ceremony known to modern times We may call it barbaric and childish, bnt it certainly is splendid in the highest degree.

It always takes place in Moscow—elsewhere it would not be legal—and for days beforehand the city wears a holiday appearance. An old law, still unrevoked, requires each house to receive three coats of white paint in honour of the occasion, and the inhabitants vie with each other in the magnificence of their decorations. The grand procession with which the ceremonies open is first formed at the cavalry barracks. Sixty heralds, mounted upon cream coloured horses, range themselves twenty abreast before the door and sound their trumpets. The commandant appears, and asks, as if surprised, what they will with him, to which the master of ceremonies replies : — * The Czar commands thee to follow me.’

The regiment then issues forth and marches, preceded by the heralds, to the cathedral, where they are awaited by the clergy, then to the law courts, where the judges are

assembled, and next to the headquarters of the various nobles, governors, deputations, and guilds, all of whom, after the same formal question and answer, join the procession.

Thus, continually increasing, it passes on to the closed gate of the kremlin. The trumpets again sound, and the commander of the garrison inquires what the people want. * The Czar,’ they cry. * What for!’ asks the officer. * To crown him most powerful of the powerful !’ Upon which the gates are Hung open, and they all pass in.

They next proceed to the palace, where, in response to their demand, they are joined by the Czar in a colonel’s uniform, accompanied by the Czarina, in the dress of a Russian peasant. Thence they go, over a path strewn with bay leaves, to the cathedral of the Holy Assumption, within which, beneath a scarlet velvet canopy embroidered with gold, stands the famous throne of Veadimir Monomaque Beside it is a smaller throne for the Cz irina, and before it a table upon which lie a crown, a sceptre, and an ermine mantle. As soon as the Czar mounts the throne he is surrounded

by his nobles, who draw their swords and lay them at his feet. The Bishop of Kazan then repeats three times a formula requiring any one who knows a reason why the coronation should not take place to come forward and declare it.

No answer being made, the Czar kneels and the ermine mantle is placed upon his shoulders by the Archbishop of Moscow, who says, as he does so—- * Cover and protect thy people as this robe covers and protects thee.’ To which the Czar replies, ‘ I will, I will, I will,’ thrice kissing the prelate’s band. He is then invested with the crown and sceptre, after which he himself crowns his wife, holding the crown above her head while both remain in silent prayer. At last they rise ; all present kneel, shouting, • Long live the Cztr !’ The nobles approach to swear allegiance, and receive their swords from his hand. He is then anointed within the inner sanctuary, and next, upon leaving the cathedral, passes with the great procession through the chief streets of the city, the Imperial carriage, in accordance with ancient custom, being escorted by a guard of a hundred young girls of high rank, armed with huge bouquets.