The solemnity began at noon, and lasted till four o'clock.

I noticed at once that all the people covered their faces for a moment on entering the church, the men with their hats, and the women with their handkerchiefs.

Most of the congregation sat with their faces turned towards the altar; but this rule had its exceptions.

The vestments of the priests were the same as those worn by our clergymen, and the commencement of the service also closely resembled the ritual of our own Church; but soon this resemblance ceased.
The bishop stepped up to the altar with the candidates, and performed certain ceremonies; then one would mount the pulpit and read part of a sermon, or sing a psalm, while the other clergymen sat round on chairs, and appeared to listen; then a second and a third ascended the pulpit, and afterwards another sermon was preached from the altar, and another psalm sung; then a sermon was again read from the pulpit.

While ceremonies were performed at the altar, the sacerdotal garments were often put on and taken off again.