3-065-910 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Easter Eve at the Isaac Cathedral, St. Petersburg, 1874. 'The scenes of ordinary city life in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and that of the popular religious ceremonial of Easter Eve, take some additional interest from the Czar's presence among us this week [ie, the state visit of Alexander II to England]. They contribute, with other sketches of Russian manners and customs already published, to show the difference of national character between his Imperial Majesty's subjects and our own countrymen. The magnificent Isaac Church at St Petersburg was lately described, A sketch is given of the customary presentation of Easter offerings by the devout and pious, who are rewarded with a priestly benediction and sprinkling of consecrated water from the hyssop-bough carried by his Reverence for that purpose'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.