In France after one and a half years of restoration opened one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches outside of Russia – the St. Nicholas Cathedral in nice. He is one of the most popular historic monuments on the French Riviera, has experienced many brilliant and tragic events and a hundred or so years managed to get even his own miracles.
This moment had been awaited for several years. The lighting of the St. Nicholas Cathedral came with their families. Now there will be baptize children, to celebrate Christmas, pray about it. St. Nicholas Cathedral – the largest Orthodox Church outside of Russia, and perhaps the most beautiful. The legacy of the Imperial dynasty of the Romanovs. It was erected after the death of crown Prince Nicholas, son of Alexander II. The icon that stood at his head — the main Shrine of the Cathedral.
When in 30-e years in the Homeland destroyed temples, the image of St. Nicholas the black. A new miracle happened a few years ago. The icon suddenly started to lighten in the eyes of the congregation.
“It was completely dark, could see only the outline of the image, and now we see — as a varnish, it gathered in drops, and the picture stood out,” says parishioner Mr Niskolechko.
99 years the Cathedral was leased by France. The Orthodox Association of nice at the expiration of the contract declared their rights to the temple. The litigation lasted seven years. The court of appeals ‘ decision gave the Cathedral of the Moscow Patriarchate. He was in an emergency condition, reconstruction was started.
“”Today everyone can see the splendor of the Church. It was filled with some new light. Very good the light is made. Before, I remember you was so dark, and now she was filled with joy. Then, as it should be at the Russian Orthodox Church. Today, many parishioners have gathered, and everyone is talking about how great the Church was restored,” says Alexander Orlov, Ambassador of Russia in France.
“Today, crossing the threshold, I stood in reverent silence, and really, just amazed how beautiful this temple is, knowing what restoration work has been carried out here, and how much work has been spent”, – says the Bishop of Bogorodsky Archbishop Anthony.
How created and restored — the world: the Russian historians, the Italian master… and French laws. That means the Church needs to bring back the original appearance without a single change. For example, during the First World war was unable to complete the painting of all the walls. The architect of nice is not allowed to do it now.
“Very characteristic of the Renaissance decors and faience tiles in the art Nouveau style – were made by the architect of a hundred years ago. A bold decision — and asymmetric. This thread is only on this side of the Church. We left it as is, not decorated like the patterns around the perimeter. So Russian heritage was integrated into the French laws,” explains the architect of the historical heritage in nice Corrado de Julie Mogen.
The iconostasis and murals were clean for almost two years.
“Everything has changed, everything became much brighter, much more contrast in the blue tones. This never happened before — how nice to have a piece of Russia, far abroad,” – said the parishioners.
On the background of the local landscape in the midtones stand out vividly its ochre-coloured walls, dome, covered with colored tiles and gilded crosses. The Church was built in the likeness of Moscow, in Ostankino, close to the telecentre. The area of the homeland said the migrants a hundred years ago, and find it now. To come to an Orthodox Church so here to meet someone who speaks to you in one language, thinking, and shared the anxiety away from home.
After the service, people did not leave long. Someone noticed that next to the temple, it seems that you are home. Really weather proof. Added – in Russia Baptism is always freezing. So nice in these days of colder than usual
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