“Saint George became renowned, in both East and West, as a military saint who helps people in difficult circumstances,” Patriarch Daniel said Thursday during the patronal feast of the historic Saint George Chapel at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest.
In his homily, the Romanian patriarch recounted the life and martyrdom of Saint George, describing him as “a deeply faithful and courageous man.”
“The Holy Great Martyr George is popular not only in Romania but in many countries — twelve countries in particular,” he said.
Patriarch Daniel also highlighted institutions under Saint George’s patronage, including the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina and the Romanian Land Forces. He noted that, under a 2025 patriarchal decision issued at the request of the Fundeni Clinical Institute, the saint was also designated as the patron of liver transplantation.
He also stressed Saint George’s place in Romanian history. “Saint George was invoked for help on the battlefield by Saint Stephen the Great,” he said.
History of the Patriarchal chapel
The patriarch also reflected on the history of the Saint George Chapel at the Patriarchal Residence, emphasising its role in Romanian Orthodox tradition.
Originally, the chapel was dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen, like the former Metropolitan Cathedral, and was built during the reign of Prince Constantin Șerban Basarab.
“This ruler gave the cathedral its dedication because he was named Constantine, and the chapel as well, since it began to be built at the same time as the church before it,” Patriarch Daniel explained.
Later, during the reign of Prince Gheorghe Duca (1673–1678), Saint George was established as its principal patron. The similar architectural style of the chapel and the cathedral suggests they were constructed simultaneously.
In 1723–1724, Prince Nicholas Mavrocordatos and Metropolitan Daniel II enriched the chapel artistically in the Brancovenesque style, aided by iconographer Teodosie and a carved iconostasis in the same style. The chapel later received a third dedication, to the Prophet Daniel.
Restoration of the chapel
Between 1951 and 1961, the chapel underwent restoration, including the addition of vestibule frescoes by iconographer Costin Petrescu.
“Through the care of Patriarch Justinian Marina, the chapel was restored and its tower rebuilt after collapsing at the end of the 19th century,” Patriarch Daniel said.
A major restoration followed between 2009 and 2011, culminating in the consecration of the restored frescoes and iconostasis on July 22, 2011, attended by hierarchs from Greece. The chapel also houses fragments of Saint George’s relics received from Athens.
At the end of the service, Patriarch Daniel congratulated all those bearing Saint George’s name — more than one million Romanians — as well as the clergy, staff and nuns serving at the Patriarchal Residence.
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
