QUAINT CEREMONY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1922, Page 5

QUAINT CEREMONY.

A BALKAN MARRIAGE. TWO STATES UNITED. PICTURESQUE SCENES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received June 9, 5.5 p.m. Belgrade, June 8. A mediaeval spectacle, curiously combined with modern customs, characterised the marriage of Prince Alexander of bia and Princess Marie of Rouffiania. I’iity thousand troops were concentrated in tne capital, and the marriage procession passed through streets held by a double lina of soldiers. ~ The procession was headed by naers representing all the provinces. Jugo-Slavia wore gala costumes, recalling comic operas and romances to which the Balkans have furnished the background. /-'At the door of the cathedral, where the marriage was performed with the rites of the Greek Church, a patriarch, splendidly robed, met the Royal couple, who kissed the Testament and the sacred ikon. The Duke of York (representing the English Royal House) throughout the long ritual stood behind the King holding various symbols. After an exchange of rings the couple moved to the altar, where the patriarch joined their hands and placed the marriage crowns on their heads, the bride and bridegroom and the choir singing nuptial chants. The bride was gowned in silver tissue, and wore the traditional Roumanian nuptial gold head dress.

There was an enthusiastic reception in the streets, including peasants in sheepskins and homespun garments, who revelled in the beauty of the bride, the riot of color of the processionists and the quaint customs. There were further Slav ceremonies at the Castle, where Princess Marie stepped over a strip of white cloth representing a moat, symbolising the passage of the old to the new life. Princess Marie scattered grain over the courtyard, and re-entered the Palace with a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine, a sign of bringing joy to her husband’s house. Waiting for her in the hall was a peasant child, whom Princess Marie lifted and kissed. The police on Thursday arrested 50 Communists, some being in possession of bombs. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.