Conflict with the Russian Government over the building and grounds:
Translated by Google from Wikipedia....
"The conflict with the Russian Federation [ edit ]The claim of the Russian Federation poses several problems. Indeed, this church is part of a diocese attached to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on an interim basis, pending the newfound freedom of the Church of Moscow Patriarchate . Thus, the parish is divided between the parishioners did not want to be attached to the Moscow Patriarchate, and those who believe in the liberation of the Russian Church, and see no obstacle to their return to the Moscow Patriarchate diocese. You can find more information on this hierarchy on the page Orthodox Church . In addition, there is the problem of tensions between some of the descendants of White Russians (ethnic aristocratic fleeing the October Revolution ), discrete and integrated community, and the new Russians, often wealthy from the business community. Some White Russians refuse to see "their" church, the only vestige of Tsarism and point of union of their community, confiscated by a corrupt government they say, and who had since the October Revolution severed ties with them. They see it as a mere opportunistic for reasons of prestige, and without any religious basis. They refer in particular to support this view the behavior of newcomers, which is on the border of legality, as well as their attitude in the offices: often far from exercise of discretion required in an Orthodox church, as noted by the regulars this church, those who attend for years. Other White Russians want is very friendly with the new Russians.
[Ref. required]
On 20 January 2010, the High Court decided in Nice, in the first instance, to assign ownership of the cathedral in Russia , considering that the nature of the long lease , originally signed in 1909 for a period of 99 years and under which the construction and maintenance of the cathedral are given to the Orthodox Church of Moscow, under the authority of the Patriarch, was taken since 1923 by the Association of Russian Orthodox worship Nice (ACOR), since the building is occupied by this association, and would not give it right to adverse possession . This means that despite the continued occupation of the premises for 86 years, this association would not get ownership of the building, adjacent grounds, property and furniture contained in the Cathedral [13] , [3] . Counsel for the association immediately announced his client intends to appeal the decision. He argues that the religious association exists only since 1923, and is not party to the lease. He mentioned that the said lease has been taken over by the association, which has occupied and maintained as well as precarious, and to avoid degradation. He says that Russia has lost interest in the cathedral since 1917 and the Russian Revolution , and that the association would benefit from the thirty-year prescription .
On May 19, 2011, the First Civil Chamber of the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence confirmed the trial decision, holding that the state of the Russian Federation is "entitled to take possession, following the arrival of the long lease term of January 9, 1909, which occurred July 31, 2007, the property, surrounding land and all embedded objects " [12] . For the court, the property "is inalienable and not lost by non-use" [12] . The association then announced his intention to lodge an appeal [4] and the rector of the cathedral Jean Gueit refuses to return the keys of the building to the Russian authorities considered that the Court of Appeal ruled on the property but not on the occupancy [6] . On September 12, 2011, CAPSA decided to close the cathedral visitors, explaining that Russia now prohibits him from charging input [14] . The Russian ambassador to France, Alexander Orlov, intends to get the keys of the cathedral and announced that he will turn them over to a new president appointed by the Moscow Patriarchate, Nicolas Ozolins [14] . Moreover, it is satisfied that the condition of the building has deteriorated sharply, which challenges the religious association [15] , [14] . On October 31, 2011, the High Court of Nice, which was seized by the Russian Federation, ordered CAPSA hand over the keys of the cathedral to the Russian authorities in seven days and sets a penalty of 6000 euros day of delay."
See: (
visit link)