At the accession of Peter III., I, for the first time [being still a young hand rather than an old], took the Oath from several thousands in my Church,"-- and handed it over, with my own, in the proper quarter.
"As to the Congratulatory Addresses, the new Czar received the Congratulations of all classes, and also of the Pastors of the Foreign Churches, in the following manner.

He came walking slowly through a suite of rooms, in each of which a body of Congratulators were assembled.

Court-officials preceded, State-officials followed him.

Then came the Czarina, attended in a similar way.

And always on entering a new room they received a new Congratulation from the spokesman of the party there.