Following our article from July 11, the Board of Directors of ACOR, which until now has managed the operations of the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral, has sent us the statement that we publish below.
Wait and see, as our English friends say.
On Saturday, July 9, 2011, at 3:15 PM, a delegation from the Russian presidential administration, accompanied by two associates of the Mayor of Nice, came to inform the ACOR officials that the Russian state was assuming its rights as the owner of the cathedral in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence on May 19, 2011. They also informed them that the state “was handing over full enjoyment of the cathedral to the Moscow Patriarchate, which henceforth becomes solely responsible for the management of the cathedral in all its aspects.”
To date, no written document confirming this decision has been received by the ACOR administration.
During the meeting, Ambassador Mr. A. Orlov emphasized that ACOR was operating a building that does not belong to it.
In his interview with Nice-Matin after the meeting, Mr. Kozhine, who is responsible for Russian interests and properties with the Presidency, stressed one point: the abolition of the entrance fees for the cathedral (currently 3 euros per individual and 2 euros for groups) collected outside of services.
For its part, ACOR also publicly announced (see Nice-Matin on 27/6/11) that the abolition of these fees would result in the dismissal of nine people, notably including the two priests, assistants to the rector (who is the only volunteer), and the four people directly involved in welcoming and maintaining the cathedral.
Indeed, the entrance fees, which constitute half of the revenue budget, cover wage and social expenses.
The other half supports the operation of the parish, and the maintenance of the cathedral and its dependencies.
Therefore, removing the revenue from visits amounts to dismissing the nine people or depriving the parish of the means for its operation.
In concrete terms, the situation is as follows: in the absence of any written notification, and especially since some statements during the meeting could contradict recent affirmations in the media, ACOR considers that it must continue to fulfill its responsibilities towards its employees, the exercise of worship, visitors, and the management and maintenance of the cathedral.
It cannot consider closing visits because such a measure would lead to significant chaos and overflows around the cathedral during this summer period.
It also cannot maintain visits without entrance fees, as the number of visitors would be 1,200 to 1,500 per day, which is inconceivable from a security standpoint and illegal according to insurance contract clauses.
Only a clear notification from the new owner, the Russian Federation, will allow ACOR to determine its course of action.
