His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania Saturday laid the foundation stone of a future Orthodox church dedicated to Romania’s national heroes that will be built on Mount Bucegi.
The event marked the 90th anniversary of the inauguration of the Heroes’ Cross on Caraiman Peak, which was built at the initiative of Queen Marie and King Ferdinand I of Romania.
‘This cross required a church,’ His Beatitude said during the blessing service on Sept. 15.
The future church will be dedicated to three important feasts, the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Ascension of the Lord (Heroes’ National Day), and the Transfiguration of the Lord.
In his speech, the Patriarch pointed to the significance of the three patronal feasts and the importance of the sacrifice assumed by Romania’s national heroes.
In addition, Patriarch Daniel said that this church calls everyone to spiritual elevation.
Concelebrants for the blessing service and the laying of foundation stone ceremony included Hon Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti, the Very Rev. Archimandrite David Petrovici, exarch of the monasteries in the mountain region of the Bucharest Archdiocese.
The church will also serve as a refuge for pilgrims and tourists.
Photography courtesy of Raluca Ene/Basilica.ro
