Marking the Romanian Patriarchate’s Centennial: Bucharest’s National Cathedral Scheduled for Consecration in October

Basilica News and OCP News Service – 10/01/2025

Bucharest-Romania: The National Cathedral in Bucharest will be consecrated on Sunday, October 26, 2025, by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Marking the Romanian Patriarchate’s Centennial

The event coincides with the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate. In 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 140 years since its recognition as an Autocephalous Church and 100 years since its elevation to Patriarchal status.

“We love our daughter Church of Romania and we eagerly anticipate to personally participate in the official celebrations in Bucharest next year for the centennial of the elevation by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Autocephalous Church of Romania to the Patriarchal dignity,” His All-Holiness Bartholomew I said last year.

Historical Background

In 2018, during the Centennial of the Great Union, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Romanian Patriarch consecrated the altar of the sacred edifice.

Incorporated into the Holy Altar Table was a list of the names of all known Romanian heroes (approximately 350,000) to symbolically commemorate the cathedral’s construction as a historical sacrifice of the Romanian people for faith, national independence, and freedom under God.

In his message following the altar consecration, Patriarch Daniel reminded us that King Carol I initiated the cathedral project after Romania’s Independence.

Eminent intellectuals like Mihai Eminescu and Ioan Slavici were among the first to advocate for constructing the “Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral” in Bucharest as an act of gratitude to God for the nation’s independence.

Thus, we understand that the first title under which this holy place is known – “The Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral” – represents more of an identity symbol than a proper theological one.

Opening to the Public

After this year’s consecration, the National Cathedral will remain open for liturgical services and public participation.

“It will be permanently open to pilgrims and will feature a special liturgical program, including celebrations for Saint Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, starting Monday, October 27, 2025,” Fr. Ionuț Corduneanu, Patriarchal Administrative Vicar, confirmed to Trinitas TV.

Construction Progress

The cathedral’s construction is nearing completion. This year, the cross for the central dome will be installed, along with the finalization of interior installations, exterior stained glass, and the structural components of the porticoes at the main entrance.

The iconographic work is ongoing under the close supervision of Patriarch Daniel. Following the Byzantine tradition, the plan encompasses 25,000 square meters of mosaics. The iconostasis, painted in mosaic and covering over 400 square meters, is the largest of its kind in the Orthodox world.

A team of 220 artists, coordinated by iconographer Daniel Codrescu, works diligently on the mosaics, completing up to 420 square meters monthly.

“The team, thus doubled, works including on Saturdays, with the objective of painting at least 340 square meters per month,” explained Father Nicolae Crângașu, Patriarchal adviser and coordinator at the Monuments and Church Constructions Sector of the Romanian Patriarchate.

The patriarchal adviser specified that the painters consistently exceed this quota, reaching up to 420 square meters per month, which indicates “a huge effort and great enthusiasm, a great commitment to the word they have given.”

Iconographer Daniel Codrescu stated that the work of painting the National Cathedral “is also an ascetic practice” and that the result will be exceptional.

“There is a certain dynamism to the surface, which also requires greater engagement from the viewer,” he said in an interview. “Depending on the time of day, how the light falls, you discover new aspects, new sparkles.”

Each square meter of mosaic painting requires 10,000 small stones (tesserae) handmade in the Orsoni Venezia workshop. Therefore, every contribution counts towards completing a great work of authentic Byzantine art and fulfilling the dream of a Christian nation.

Source: Basilica News