christ church episcopal & service of thanksgiving
Following the signing, the Russians left directly for Portsmouth where a service of thanksgiving was held in Christ Church. The sanctuary was filled to overflowing with both dignitaries and local residents for the service, which was conducted by the rector, the Rev. C. LeV. Brine, assisted by other Orthodox clergy who came to the city for the occasion. Also participating were choristers from St. Nicholas’s Cathedral in New York. Father Alexander Hotovitsky, Archpriest of St. Nicholas’s, sang a solemn Te Deum.
Father Hotovitsky, a renowned missionary of the Russian Orthodox Church in America, was later martyred by the Russian Communists and eventually was made a saint, but on this day his topic was peace. Speaking before the congregation, he told Witte and Rosen, “I congratulate you, on the great victory you have won over feelings that are natural to all Russians, since it was truly hard for a nation as proud as ours is to make peace with Japan, after what we have experienced at her hands.”
According to the Portsmouth Times, the “most thrilling incident of the service” came when Fr. Hotovitsky presented the two Russian diplomats with the crucifix: “The baron fell on his knees to embrace the sacred emblem,” while Witte “gave way to his emotions and wept like a child.” Although a pew had been reserved for the Japanese, they did not attend. After the service, a large crowd outside warmly greeted the Russians and when Witte returned to the Wentworth he found his coat pockets filled with gifts from well-wishers.
According to the Portsmouth Times, the “most thrilling incident of the service” came when Fr. Hotovitsky presented the two Russian diplomats with the crucifix: “The baron fell on his knees to embrace the sacred emblem,” while Witte “gave way to his emotions and wept like a child.” Although a pew had been reserved for the Japanese, they did not attend. After the service, a large crowd outside warmly greeted the Russians and when Witte returned to the Wentworth he found his coat pockets filled with gifts from well-wishers.
REDEDICATING THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE
The six-foot high bronze plaque in Christ Church commemorating the Treaty signing (in English and Russian) was destroyed when the church burned in 1963. Recast from the melted bronze, a new memorial plaque was dedicated on September 4, 2005 by Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson during a recreation of the Service of Thanksgiving.