The Scarlet Empress (1934)

Davison Clark: Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky, Arch-Episcope

Quotes 

• Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Something for the poor, You Majesty?

  [Catherine removes several bracelets and places them in the collection plate] 

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : For the poor, Captain?

  [Capt. Orloff drops a handful of diamonds in the plate] 

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Excellency?

  Count Alexei : [Count Alexei tosses a bag of what sounds like coins]  Quite a haul tonight, Father.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Chancellor?

  [the chancellor gives him a single coin] 

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Elizabeth?

  [Countess Elizabeth flings the food she'd been eating onto the collection plate. The archimandrite places the morsel on the table] 

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Your Imperial Majesty, something for the poor?

  [Peter slaps him] 

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : That was for me. Now what have you got for the poor?

  Grand Duke Peter : There are no poor in Russia! Get out!

• Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Her Majesty is very ill, and her days are numbered. Soon, she will be no more, poor soul, and another maniac will become our emperor. It will be a bad day for Russia, and for me if I live that long.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Why are you telling this to me?

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I suppose you know that the grand duke isn't exactly pleased with the present state of affairs.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : State of affairs? What affairs? I haven't had an affair for some time.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I know that the grand duke plans to remove you from court... or worse, as soon as he is in power.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : You need have no fear for me. Now that I've learned how Russia expects me to behave, I like it here. And I intend to stay, grand duke or no grand duke.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : We all hope you will stay, and I, for one, at the risk of my neck, would like to help you.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : How could you be of help?

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I control enough of the political machine to carry some weight in a crisis.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I have no wish to share in any petty conspiracy. Should it become unavoidable, I think I have weapons that are far more powerful than any political machine.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I'm afraid you don't know Russians, my child.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : That's possible, Father, but I'm taking lessons as fast as I can.

• Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : God grant you victory, Catherine. All Russia is waiting for the sound of our bell.