Благотворительная деятельность братства Св. Анастасии в Ментоне (франция) в 1920-х годах и попытки секвестировать имущество Русской Зарубежной Церкви

Abstract

The article deals with charity work of the fraternity of St. Anastasia in Menton (France) in 1920s. This period of life of the Russian Orthodox parish has not been given detailed attention by researches yet. The important issues are considered reflecting the specifics of the life of Russian emigrants: reviving the parish’s activities, in new historical circumstances, overcoming material and judicial difficulties, protecting the church property from the assault of Soviet government from the materials from the State Archive of the Russian Federation. Charity was one of the most important issues of the Synod of Bishop of ROCOR besides dealing with financial issues, the appointment of clergymen, organization of educational and publishing activities. An important role in that was played by orthodoxy fraternity and sorority sisters, each of which had its own task. The location of the Russian house in Menton in France, on the French Riviera (“Cote d'Azur” (Fr.)), caused the type of activity of the fraternity of St. Anastasia. Its aim was to help elderly Russian emigrants, to take care of sick and who died. The main peculiarity of the Fraternity was its independent financial position. It was the only charitable organization of Russian emigrants in France that existed independently of private donations, fees, subscriptions, charity concerts and bazaars, because it had valuable social and national property. Due to the competent management of the Fraternity Council in different periods, regardless of the jurisdictional membership of its members, it was possible to save the Russian house as a public institution that maintains a connection with orthodox traditions in care and charity.