Without delving into the legal dispute, which to date has seen the reasons of the Russian Federation prevail (judgment of the Nice Tribunal, confirmed by the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence), which is yet to find its final word with the decision of the Court of Cassation, it is possible to understand the moral feelings of the ACOR members who, after 80 years of non-profit management, found themselves deprived of a property that, rightly or wrongly, they now considered their own. And that the Russian Federation, after 80 years of silence and disinterest, has forcefully claimed.
Can we say there is a reason of law that opposes that of the heart?
Ultimately, what is important in this ‘sad’ story is that this magnificent site, the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, is preserved in its original role: worship for the faithful.
At the end of the Second World War and with the complicity of the Allies, several million Russophobes were forcibly repatriated to the “Soviet motherland.”
Here in the 21st century, the specter of this past resurfaces, this time targeting praying sites established outside the borders of the former Empire. The current trend is post-Sovietism and reclaiming control. The Putin-Medvedev duo, along with their ministers and ambassadors, works to restore the prestige of the Russian Federation, at the cost of elaborate contortions with morality and customs.
The Saint Nicholas Cathedral, heritage of the City of Nice, if not of France, is severely affected by the diplomatic demands imposed by the Russian Federation, of which we will simply say that this country, which boasts to the world of “turning the page,” remains unreservedly nostalgic for its Soviet past. Yet, sweeping away its troubles, the Russian Federation positions itself as the successor of the Tsars’ Empire and imposes its influence under the guise of Religion, on France and the world, barely concealing the weapon of gas that might be cut off if… decisions did not go as Moscow wishes.
LENINE, in his time, considered nothing less than the destruction of the Cathedral of Saint-Nicholas in Nice. STALIN, more visionary, disregarded Nice and planned as part of his expansionist propaganda for the Soviet Union, the occupation, and diversion of all places of worship across the Soviet territory.
The operation to reclaim this sacred place steeped in history began in 2006, with a first round in late 2011. The judgment rendered is misunderstood by a vast majority of the faithful, associated with many residents of Nice, and a few curious French watching the twists of this incredible series. We will say, to keep it short, that the end of this first exchange ends with a victory for the Russian Federation, temporarily tolling the end for the management of Saint Nicholas Cathedral by the A.C.O.R. The second round is underway and it is still hopeful that both politicians and legal experts will feel a surge of logic and patriotism towards this matter.
If this were not the case, more would have to be done. Hence, the story is far from over.
Dependent on the world in all respects, France has sacrificed an entire segment of Nice’s history and heritage in the name of the reason of state. The Cathedral is now in the hands of unscrupulous people. Subjected to historical uprooting, delivered to legal dismemberment, under the blow of permanent occupation and confiscation of all former uses, all bravely immolated on the altar of diplomacy by a trembling France before the power and greed of a man whom history is catching up with.
Paul BOUCOIRAN, former President of the District Committee of the Imperial Park, exposed the situation in an article published in December 2010 in issue 18 of the Gazette “ENTRE-NOUS” under the title “Diplomatic Theft in Nice.” He denounced the future of this independent place of worship established on our soil, which would be delivered with the approval of our country’s political and judicial authorities to a foreign nation, still plagued by the demons of its totalitarian past.
On the same wavelength, Monseigneur GABRIEL, Exarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, supports the religious in place and, addressing the faithful gathered under the emblematic and martyred dome of the Cathedral: “…you are the heirs of those who have been rejected and persecuted, today you yourselves are under the pressure of the powerful of this world, I urge you therefore to continue to defend yourselves…”
Father Jean GUEIT, Rector of Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Nice, better known as the Russian Church of Nice,” and President of the ACOR Association (Russian Orthodox Religious Association), recently celebrated the last Sunday service under very high surveillance. Indeed, on Sunday, December 11, 2011, Father Jean officiated under the unsparing supervision of his counterpart, Rector Nicolas OZOLINE, appointed by Moscow for the occasion. Since then, the Church is closed, the park is under control, and the bells remain silent. A few months ago, this place received tourists from around the world, the most visited site of the City it was said, and that’s not all. Following a politically and legally unfair decision, not to mention contrary to the very principles of the French Republic, this major site of Nice’s heritage has been stripped almost forcibly of all religious adhering to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, yet in place for over eighty years. This “clean” hit desired by the Kremlin naturally finds unwavering support from a few Metropolitans under orders, who indiscriminately encompass in this sweep all individuals appealing for Christian charity, without consideration for sex, nationality, or social condition.
In summary, since these few acres of earth, once French, became “Russian territory,” the Kremlin has declared the Cathedral inaccessible to anyone, be it Priest, Faithful, Beggar, or Tourist. Since handing over the keys to the new masters, muscular individuals dressed in black have appeared, now guarding this space nestled within our Districts, 24/7, patrolling incessantly on this territory imposed by the reason of the state on our soil. Besides surprising all parishioners, the weakest among them, the elderly or disabled discovered amid this ultimate service the new rules imposed by the Kremlin. No vehicle is now authorized to enter the Cathedral grounds, and it is under an impassible, insensitive, and sometimes even mocking gaze that these henchmen of this new “clergy from the cold” will accompany several individuals with a wavering or difficult pace for a last service covering the several hundred meters that separate the gate from the Cathedral’s porch, in total indifference, except for the compassion of a few faithful outraged by this attitude.
Meanwhile, the district was saturated, with honking, invectives, angry maneuvers, and traffic jams being the lot of all drivers who had the misfortune to pass there, wanted to leave a parking space, or had the urge to immobilize their vehicle in the immediate environment of the site. The residents are outraged by this lack of charity, worried about this incessant movement of vehicles from Eastern countries that come and go since the day before, stopping briefly to unload some unidentifiable cartons that they exchange with other drivers whose number plates indicate them as “locals”; has love, mercy, and Christian charity deserted this place that has been devoted to them since the site’s origin?
In the pain, dismay, and shame, a page in the life of Saint Nicholas Cathedral has turned and closed a chapter. With hope deeply rooted in their souls, true Christians, temporarily sidelined, dream that the following chapters will see the return of light and truth chasing away Moscow’s dictates.
During the last Sundays of December, the faithful retreated to their Church on Longchamp Street, Saint Nicholas-Saint Alexandra which does not interest Moscow; a temporary measure as major works, long planned, will start under the control of the Departmental Services of Architecture and Buildings of France. During this period and at least for a few Sundays, services will be held in the Greek Church of Saint Spyridon, which Rector Michel SELINIOTAKIS makes very Christianly available to ACCOR. Then the future is still uncertain. Negotiations are ongoing with several parishes; another proof that Charity and Christian brotherhood still exist… elsewhere than in Moscow!
Before raising the question: for whom the bell tolls, it is necessary to draw a lesson from this matter and mobilize the French so that they organize themselves and protect the next sanctuary that Moscow would like to see fall under its control.
This article is largely inspired by the foresight, understanding, kindness, and knowledge of Mr. Michel BARSKY; may he find here our thanks for his precious help…
Zacharie Van Goey.
