After  their  Majesties  had  been  seated  the  Metropolitan
of  Novgorod  asked  the  Emperor  in  a  loud  and  distinct
voice,  "  Are  you  a  true  believer?  "

The  Emperor,  falling  on  his  knees,  read  in  reply,  in  a
clear  voice,  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  the  Apostles'  Creed
of  the  Greek  Church,  the  Meti'opolitan  responding,
"May  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost  remain  with  thee."
Descended  from  the  dais,  the  following  customary  sum-
mons was  then  three  times  repeated  by  the  Bishop  :

"If  there  be  any  of  you  here  present  knowing  any
impediment  for  which  Alexander,  son  of  Alexander,
should  not  be  crowiled  by  the  Grace  of  God  Emperor
and  Autocrat  of  all  the  Russias,  of  Moscow,  of  Kieff,  of
Veadetmir,  of  Novgorod,  Czar  of  Kazan,  of  Astrak-
han, of  Poland,  of  Siberia,  of  Kherson,  Taurida  of
Grousi,  Geosoudar  5f  Pskoff,  Grand  Duke  of  Smolensk,
of  Lithuania,  of  Volheznia,  of  Podolonia  and  of  Finland,
Prince  of  Esthonia,  of  Livonia,  of  Courtlaud,  of  Semi-


HI


XUWIAX   KIHILISM  AS1>


galia,  of  the   Samoyedes,  of  Bielostok,  of  Corena,  of
Foer,  of  Ingor,  of  Perm,  of  Viatka,  of  Bulgaria,  and


of  other  countries  ;  Master  and  Grand  Duke  of  the  lower
oountrie*   in   Novgorod,  of   Tchernigoff,  of  Riazau,  oi


EXILE  LIFE  im   SIBERIA. 565

Polotka,  of  Eostoff,  of  Jarostoff,  of  Bielosersk,  of  Ou-
dorke,  of  Kontizk,  of  Vitelsk,  of  Mstilaff,  and  of  all
the  countries  of  the  North  ;  Master  Absolute  of  Iversk,
of  Kastainisk,  of  Kabardinsk,  and  of  the  territory  of
Armenia;  Sovereign  of  Mountain  Princes,  of  Tiaherk-
ask,  Master  of  Turkestan,  heir  presumptive  of  Norway
and  Duke  of  Sleswick-Holstein,  of  Stormaine,  of  Dith-
marse,  and  of  Oldenburg,  let  him  come  forward  in  the
name  of  the  Holy  Trinity  and  show  what  the  impediment
is,  or  let  him  remain  dumb  forever."

After  reading  selections  from  the  gospe  ,  the  Metropol-
itans of  Novgorod  and  Kieff  again  ascended  the  dais
and  invested  the  Emperor  with  the  Imperial  Mantle  of
ermine,  the  Metropolitan  of  Moscow  saying  at  the  sam«
time :  *'  Cover  and  protect  thy  people  as  this  robe  pro-
tects and  covers  thee."

The  Emperor  responded  :  "I  will,  I  will,  I  will,  God
helping."

The  Metropolitan  of  Novgorod,  crossing  his  hands
upon  the  head  of  the  Emperor,  then  invoked  the  bene-
diction of  Almighty  God  upon  him  and  his  reign,  and
delivered  to  Alexander  III. 