Belfort, Territoire de Belfort, France, May 22, 2025
Photo: archeveche.eu
Another Russian Orthodox parish in France celebrated its 100th anniversary over the weekend.
Earlier this week, OrthoChristian reported on the recent centenary of the Resurrection of Christ Church (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) in Meudon, a suburb of Paris.
And on May 17–18, another parish named for the Holy Resurrection, in the city of Belfort in northeastern France, also celebrated its 100th anniversary, highlighted by a pastoral visit from His Grace Bishop Elisée of Reoutov, reports the Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe.
The parish was initially formed by Russian emigrants fleeing the Bolshevik revolution.
Photo: archeveche.eu
The bishop was joined by parish rector Fr. Alexis Meistermann and former rectors Fr. Nicolas Rehbinder, who supervised the construction of the new church, Fr. Emmanuel Babus from Bucharest, and Igumen André Wade from Italy. The All-Night Vigil on Saturday night was followed by a fraternal meal.
On Sunday, Bp. Elisée and the priests celebrated the Divine Liturgy and a memorial service for the deceased priests who have served the parish.
“This Liturgy will remain an unforgettable moment for all the faithful present who came in great numbers, thus showing their deep and sincere attachment to their church,” writes Fr. Alexis.
Photo: archeveche.eu
After the Liturgy, the bishop blessed icons made by the children of the parish. Then the children of the Serbian school sang traditional Serbian songs and another festive meal was served.
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Photo: orthodoxe-belfort.fr
The history of the parish of the Resurrection of Christ in Belfort begins with the arrival of Russian emigrants fleeing the Bolshevik revolution. Coming to France, they settled in regions where there was work. The beginnings of the Belfort parish were difficult, as Metropolitan Evlogy relates in his memoirs. The first priests arrived in 1925 and stayed only a few months. Services were celebrated in Sochaux in a room lent by the Peugeot social club. The religious association was declared at the prefecture in March 1927.
Archimandrite Andronicus (Elpidinsky) stayed five years in Belfort and served several parishes in Eastern France, from Dijon to Strasbourg. When he left to care for Russian communities in India in 1930, he was replaced by Fr. Stéphane (Timtchenko), who later became Bishop of Stockholm. Fr. Jacques Protopopov, from the Russian community of Vichy, succeeded him two years later until 1938. Then came Fr. Sylvestre (Haruns), future Archbishop of Montreal. At that time, the parish was also served by the future Bishop Paul and Fr. Elie Mélia, of Georgian origin. During the Second World War, many Russians left the region.
The second period in the history of the parish begins after the Second World War with the arrival in Belfort of Fr. Eugène Popoff. He remained there until his death in 1983. In 1949, the Orthodox community purchased the house and land located at 15 rue du Berger and set up a church in the former garage. The material situation was secure, but the Orthodox community was declining. The elders were aging and dying, the young were gradually integrating into society and no longer came to services.
After the death of Fr. Eugène on August 7, 1983, the parish no longer had a priest on site. Its future was uncertain. The possibility of closure was considered by the diocesan administration. But for the priests who came to celebrate in Belfort once a month, there remained a hope of survival. There were two reasons for this: on the one hand, the existence of a significant Serbian community that arrived in the region in the late 1970s; on the other hand, the regular presence of French and Alsatian natives who found or rediscovered the Christian faith through the Orthodox Church.
The revival took place under the impetus of Fr. Nicolas Rehbinder from 1986, with the support of the diocesan administration and God’s help. In 1990, the residential house was renovated and arranged into three apartments, one for the priest, another as a parish hall. Two years later, the parish undertook the construction of a new church. The first stone was laid in May 1992. Thanks to the expertise of the Serbian parishioners and the participation of all, it was completed in less than two years. The church was consecrated on March 6, 1994, by Bishop Serge, Bishop Paul, and Bishop Dositej of the Serbian Church.
This new beginning was accompanied by the return of a resident priest to Belfort. First, there was Fr. Emmanuel Babus from 1994 to 1997, followed by Fr. André Wade from 1997 to 2003, and Fr. Igor Koritsky from 2003 to 2009. Those years were also marked by the arrival of newcomers from Eastern countries. Between 2011 and 2013, the church was adorned with murals by the Russian iconographer Yaroslav Dobrynine, who also decorated the churches of the monasteries of Saint-Antoine in the Vercors and of the Protection of the Mother of God in Bussy-en-Othe. Since 2011, the parish has been served by Fr. Alexis Meistermann.
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