The Supreme Being—the absolute embodiment of God (which is why this is, in theory, relevant to Nizhny Novgorod residents as well)—was the final title held by Robespierre, the dictator of the Great French Revolution.
On May 7, 1794, the Montagnard National Convention adopted a declaration stating that “the French people acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.” The declaration went on to state: “It recognizes that the proper worship of the Supreme Being consists in the fulfillment of human duties. At the forefront of these duties, it places hatred of unbelief and tyranny, the punishment of traitors and tyrants, aid to the unfortunate, respect for the weak, the defense of the oppressed, the doing of all possible good to one’s neighbor, and the avoidance of all evil”.
On June 8, 1794, a public celebration of the Supreme Being was held in Paris, at which Robespierre spoke on its behalf. This effectively established state religion in violation of the ideals of the Revolution and denied freedom of conscience, which intensified public discontent with Robespierre.
After the Ninth Thermidor, the cult of the Supreme Being, which had been associated with Robespierre, quickly faded away.