a lot of people are coming out of church. they talk about the autumn weather, but when the oprichniki appear they are very frightened and start talking about whom the tsar is going to choose for his bride . marfa talks to her friend duniasha about how she has loved lykov ever since they were children. tsar ivan passes by. she does not recognize him, but she is very frightened at the way the tsar is staring at her. sobakin comes in with lykov and the four of them sing about looking forward to the wedding.