At the end of the liturgy, which was then co- conducted by Bishop Stephanje and the Patriarch, the congregation filed out of the Cathedral and waited. The buzz of voices, all excited, was electric. They all waited in anticipation. From iniside the Cathedral the Holy Clergy formed a line. They processed out of the Cathedral. Bishop Stephanje would walk to the Patriarchal Palace, from the Cathedral. Bishop Stephanje walked alongside the Patriarch.
Bishop Stephanje walked, still dressed in his vestments. A gold encrusted, red- velveted Mitre upon his head, and a silver episcopal staff in his right hand. He exited the Cathedral. No sooner was a foot over the threshold, then the bells of the Cathedral rung. They rung in the sequence that was for bishops and higher clergy. It was a series of three consecutive rings, a short pause, then another three, another pause then a final seven. The crowd broke into applause and cheers. Bishop Stephanje couldn't help but get emotional slightly.
"Bless them. You are now their bishop!" said the Patriarch from beside Bishop Stephanje. He needn't be told twice. Bishop Stephanje swapped the staff to his left. The crowd went wild. He raised his right hand. It shook slightly. This was the first time that he, Stephanje, once a Prince now a Bishop, was going to bless a crowd. He formed the symbol with his fingers, the IC XC, (the Byzantine- Greek lettering for the name of Jesus Christ), then made the sign of the cross in the air. The crowd bowed and crossed themselves. He faced the other side and did the same. The response was the same.
The family all followed on foot. They walked behind Bishop Stephanje, and the Patriarch. However, they were attended upon by guards from the Patriarchal Palace. As the procession made its way to the Patriarchal Palace church bells could be heard ringing, both near and far. They all rung in the episcopal sequence. For the next few weeks, Bishop Stephanje would tour around to all the parishes in the region, then he would travel to Moscow, before travelling around the country.
Once inside the gates of the Patriarchal Palace the gates were closed. All except the Holy Clergy, the family, Bishop Stephanje and the Patriarch were inside. Once inside the Palace, only the Bishop and the Patriarch proceeded instantly up the grand staircase to the top balcony. The crowd was larger from up here than it was down on the ground. Now, Bishop Stephanje saw just how many had turned up for his episcopal ordination. Thousands gathered at the gates.
Inside once more things begun to cool down. The excitement was still fresh among the family, who hadn't had the opportunity to congratulate their son, brother, cousin, nephew or uncle. It was emotional once more. Like most things in Bishop Stephanje's life, the pinalce was the acceptance and the love of the children. Nikolas was ever happy. He ran into Bishop Stephanje's arms and hugged him tightly, even with the Bishop still in his vestments. Even at the age of thirteen, Nikolas was still a child when it came to his Stephanje, as he used to say.
Soon after this the day ended. For the Bishop, however, it was only beginning again. The following day he was on his way to Moscow. News reached Anichkov Palace of how he was and the recpetion he'd recieved from the Muskovites. Soon after, the Bishop was on his way around the country. He sent letters as often as he could. At the very least, one every two days. He was happy, and safe, and enjoying the blessed experiance. Although, he couldn't wait to get back to them, his family, his life and his love. Bishop Stephanje was greatly missed in the one year he was on travel.
He didn't forget the birthdays, however, and sent his presents and his love to them all. He reminded them all that whilst God had separated them, if it was his will then it would have to be so, the least they could do for each other was to pray that he kept them safe. The children all took comfort in his words. However, it was one thing to read on paper, and another to sit and listen. Nikolas, Alexander, George and Xenia were all upset. Even little Mihail was slightly distressed at the absence of the familiar, friendly and kind face he'd seen so often.
When Bishop Stephanje did return to Saint Petersburg on the 7th of June he was instantly taken to Anichkov Palace. Maria was once again pregnant, and due to have her child any day that week. He stayed at the Palace all week to rest and see the family. They were all to happy to have him there. To hug him and feel him, to speak to him and hear him answer, to joke with him and hear him laugh. It was something that made all their hearts flutter.
On the 13th of June, thursday, Maria had a baby girl. Alexander and Maria decided to name their new baby girl Olga. After the customary fourty- day period after birth, Olga was baptised in the Cathedral of Saint Petersburg, by noneother than Bishop Stephanje. This was, by far, the biggest baptism so far. The crowd was as big as it had ever been, and the guest list, too, was bigger. As custom in many Royal, and Imperial, families; more than one god- parent was appointed. However, Bishop Stephanje was adamant, it was not Orthodox tradition for more than one god- parent to recieve the child. Thus, he would not allow more than one sponsor to stand with him at the font.
Alexander and Maria understood, however, this placed pressure on them. They had to choose one sponsor, in the fear that the rest would take offence. the Bishop exploded.
"LET THEM SAY ANYTHING AND THEY WILL KNOW WHAT FEAR REALLY IS!" he shouted from within Alexander's office. Alexander and Maria jumped. The Bishop screamed this still facing the window. This was something out of character. Bishop Stephanje was never known to have screamed before. This was, however, not the last time.
One of the sponsors came from the Royal house of Monaco. This sponsor approached Alexander and Maria before the baptism, after hearing of the decision they were to make. The sponsor was not at all happy with having a Priest tell his family, and a Royal family at that, what to do. The sponsor failed to see that this "Priest" was once a Royal too. In fact, this "Priest" was once on of a higher class, than Royalty. This "Priest" was once an Imperial Highness. From within his office the Bishop's voice was, for some reason, just as loud. The rest of the family waited outside, while the sponsor and the Bishop spoke, or rather, while the Bishop screamed.
"You were once a Royal, surely you haven't forgotten traditions of Royalty!"
"No, but i am no longer a Royal, or an Imperial, for that matter. I am a Bishop, and as such, i am telling you, you will not stand with me at the font if you are not the elected one. I WILL not have ecclesiastical theology disregarded because of some person who has no respect for the symbology and meaning in every action performed in a house of God." Retorted the Bishop.
"Some person! How dare you! You talk of respect for the house of God, but what about the respect due to the people who are ordained by God to be the heads of state?-"
"Are YOU a head of state then?" asked the Bishop sarcastically
"Don't you dare mock me!"
"I CROWN YOU! IF I DON'T BLESS THE CROWN THAT GOES ON YOUR HEAD THEN WHAT BLESSING OF GOD'S DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE!? YOU ARE NOTHING WITHOUT THE RELIGIOUS SYMBOLOGY! I GIVE YOU THAT MEANING AND ADVANTAGE TO SAY YOU, AND EVERY OTHER ROYAL, ARE ORDAINED KINGS AND QUEENS BY GOD. ME AND EVERY OTHER PATRIARCH AND BISHOP. SO DON'T YOU DARE ENTER MY OFFICE AND ATTEMPT TO TELL ME WHAT I WILL AND WILL NOT DO IN MY CHURCH! I HAVE A DUTY TO GOD, TO LOOK AFTER HIS HOUSE AND RESPECT HIS RULES, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT!" Alexander and Maria wanted the earth to open up and swallow them. It was the first feeling ever, to hear Bishop Stephanje yell such. They felt partially to blame. The sponsor emerged from the office, looking as though he'd just recieved the most severe wake- up call of his life.
c. John Apotsis 2008- 2009
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