Show I 1 tossing the river nev 6 it if the pre present sent moderate weather con finues in russia the ice lee in the river neva will soon break up and here there upon tipon will occur the blessing of the river an annual event of 0 national ina to russia on the day when the river first shows signs of being released flom its I 1 winter bonds the solemn ceremony ot of blessing the waters Is Fer performed formed by the high dignitaries of 0 the greek church in the presence of the czar rhe a ceremony takes place at st peters burg opposite the winter palace of the czar in a pavilion decorated with sacred pictures on the pavilion pa villon platform ara arel as the high officials of state and below the steps in two lines lacing facing each other appear the russian priests in their splendid vestments the average number of days dur ing which navigation la is possible la is the least and the greatest recently ice tee breaking vessels have been introduced |