Three hundred and sixty-eight years have passed since the consecration of the historic Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Bucharest.
Construction of the Patriarchal Cathedral began in the mid-17th century at the initiative of Prince Constantin Șerban Basarab and his wife, Lady Bălașa, as an offering of thanksgiving to God for the restoration of peace in the country.
The foundation was established on Vineyard Hill, today known as Patriarchate Hill, on the site of an older wooden skete.
The consecration of the church took place on May 7, 1658, officiated by Patriarch Macarius III Zaim of Antioch and All the East, together with Metropolitan Stephen of Wallachia and the Bishops of Râmnic and Buzău.
Three years later, Metropolitan Stephen established his residence there, and in 1668, Prince Radu Leon officially designated the church as the metropolitan residence.
He also initiated the church’s painting works. In 1698, Prince Constantine Brâncoveanu built a bell tower east of the Holy Altar.
The Patriarchal Cathedral throughout history
In 1925, with the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate, the church was elevated to the rank of Patriarchal Cathedral.
Over the years, the cathedral underwent several repairs, but following the restoration works carried out between 1960 and 1962, it regained its original form.
Among the important historical events that took place at the Patriarchal Cathedral was the coronation and anointing with Holy Chrism of King Michael I of Romania.
In 2008, restoration and consolidation works were undertaken, including the installation of 26 mosaic icons in the upper register of the porch.
At the completion of the works, on the feast of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki the Myrrh-gusher, Patriarch Daniel of Romania celebrated the consecration service together with an assembly of 34 hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Grace Epiphanius Gattas Hazim, delegate of Patriarch Ignatius IV of Antioch, along with priests and deacons.
A detailed history of the Patriarchal Cathedral may be read here.
Photo: Basilica.ro
