io6 RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



containing a piece of Russian art, as a remembrance 

 of the feelings you left behind you. 



Very sincerely yours, 



CANTACUZEN. 

 MR. F. B. REEVES. 



Bishop Nicolas, of San Francisco, the prelate 

 of the Russian Church in America, conducted the 

 service, which was one of the highest of the church. 

 He was assisted by Fathers Andronik and Irakli, 

 the priests of the Donskoi and Rynda. 



The portable altar which the flagship carried, 

 with pictures of saints and other paraphernalia, 

 was set up on the starboard side of the gun deck. 

 The crew of the vessel, with Admiral Kaznakoff, 

 Captain Zelenoy, the Grand Duke Alexander, 

 and other officers at their head, were ranged on 

 the deck before the altar. Detachments of the 

 officers and crew of the Rynda occupied the port 

 side of the deck. Bishop Nicolas wore vestments 

 of purple, with the peculiar Russian hat with its 

 black veil. The best singers of the vessels formed 

 a choir, and a large part of the service consisted 

 of the intonation of the liturgy. The service 

 lasted over an hour and closed with the Bishop's 

 blessing and prayer for the royal family of Russia. 



