Le Figaro Bordeaux
To discover
Follow all the news of the city of Bordeaux
Closed for five years due to its dilapidation, the church of Saint-François in Bègles is about to come back to life.
With the agreement of the town hall, which decided not to pre-empt the property, the diocese of Bordeaux sold the religious building to the Armenian Church of New Aquitaine at a “Christian
price
”: 30,000 euros.
“
Closing a church is a wound.
There, the Catholics of the district will be able to continue to pray there
”, justifies the vicar general of the diocese of Bordeaux.
For Father Samuel Volta, this transfer of ownership "
to brothers whose beliefs are very close to Catholics
", rather than desacralizing the premises by letting them "
become a garage or a nightclub
is a victory.
And this, even if selling the chapel at the promoters' offer price would have been “
more lucrative
”.
“
The strength of faith prevailed
”, also rejoices the Armenian Christian community.
This choice ensures the rest of the souls of the ten Franciscans buried in its crypt.
With the agreement of the religious association of the parish of the Armenian Apostolic Church of New Aquitaine, their vault - whose move to the monastery of Chartreuse has been considered - will remain.
"
We are Christians, this church was built and maintained by the Capuchins
(from 1928, editor's note),
so there is no reason for them to leave the premises
“, specifies Alain Nercessian, its vice-president.
A philosophy that also applies to future burials of Béglais Catholics.
Those who were baptized and married in the Saint-François church can have their last mass celebrated there if they wish.
Read alsoThe relics of Saint Thomas Aquinas revealed for the first time since the Middle Ages
A “
pride
” for Christian Armenians
On the other hand, the sacred enclosure is now called Saint-Nerses.
Patronage chosen in agreement with the Armenian diocese of France.
Under the protection of the descendant of Gregory the Illuminator who became Catholicos of Armenia at the age of 27 (253-373), the 10,000 Armenian Christians of New Aquitaine could take refuge there.
A "
pride
" for the community, which thus acquires its first place of worship in the region.
For these faithful who have been gathering for several decades in churches lent by the diocese of Bordeaux, the closest chapels have until now been located in Marseille and Paris.
Several Armenian Orthodox should also come from Spain to attend the great celebrations on the west coast.
Their liturgical rite and especially their altar differ indeed from that of the Catholics.
Separated from the nave by an iconostasis, it is surmounted by a veil symbolizing the mystery of Christ's revelation.
The opening of this new church therefore implies another major change for the New Aquitaine people: a priest should be assigned there.
For the moment, the Armenian primate of France moved punctually in Gironde.
An absence with concrete consequences: two weeks before Orthodox Easter, the most important holiday in the Christian calendar, this community knows that it will not be able to celebrate it on D-Day.
Significant work is in progress to adapt the altar of the Saint-Nerses church according to the liturgical rites of the Christians of Armenia.
Robert Nersessian / rights reserved
120,000 euros of work
Started shortly after the notarial deed of transfer signed on May 31, the works financed by the Armenian Christian community are estimated at 120,000, in addition to the initial sale price.
Paced by donations, the renovations have already made good progress thanks to the 60,000 euros collected.
Water infiltration, roofing and plaster falling from the ceiling have been repaired.
Only the interior trim remains on the list.
Faced with "
a financial problem to continue at the desired pace
", the religious association nevertheless harbors great hope.
While the 1650th anniversary of the death of its patron saint will be commemorated on July 25, it hopes to open this summer.
