{"id":245432,"date":"2019-07-18T13:05:42","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T10:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=245432"},"modified":"2019-07-18T13:07:02","modified_gmt":"2019-07-18T10:07:02","slug":"five-metre-mosaic-cross-ready-to-be-applied-on-national-cathedrals-iconostasis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/five-metre-mosaic-cross-ready-to-be-applied-on-national-cathedrals-iconostasis\/","title":{"rendered":"Five-metre mosaic cross ready to be applied on National Cathedral\u2019s iconostasis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The mosaic crucifix showing Christ flanked by Virgin Mary and Saint John the Theologian is ready to be applied above the iconostasis of the National Cathedral in Bucharest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The five-metre mosaic cross was initially painted by the team of artists coordinated by iconographer Daniel Codrescu.<\/p>\n

The cross that will tower over the Cathedral\u2019s 18-metre unique iconostasis was inspired by Byzantine iconography and Moldavian church painting.<\/p>\n

Codrescu said that other sources of inspiration were the paintings at Studenica Monastery, Moldovita Monastery, and Cimabue and Giotto\u2019s crucifixes.<\/p>\n

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Christ on the Cross. Photo: Daniel Codrescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The artists are now preparing the mosaics that will be applied on the Cathedral\u2019s main dome (Pantocrator) and the half-dome above the altar.<\/p>\n

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Iconographer Daniel Codrescu painting the Christ Pantocrator for the main dome of the Cathedral. Photo: Daniel Codrescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The largest mosaic depicting the More Spacious than the Heavens Icon of the Mother of God was applied on the half-dome that stands above the altar in May.<\/p>\n

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Platytera Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: Daniel Codrescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The altar walls will have various representations of Old Testament prophets, symbols such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Communion of the Apostles, and other biblical scenes.<\/p>\n

The entire mosaic work of the Romanian People\u2019s Salvation Cathedral is rooted in the hesychast tradition and in the old Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, while being in consonance with the architectural space and the needs of the contemporary Orthodox sacramental rituals.<\/p>\n

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St John weeping by the cross. Photo: Daniel Codrescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bucharest\u2019s new Orthodox Cathedral was consecrated<\/a> in November last year by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.<\/p>\n

In May 2019, Pope Francis had the chance to visit the Cathedral and pray the Our Father<\/a> inside.<\/p>\n

Although yet unfinished, Romania\u2019s National Cathedral has become a tourist attraction and stands as the largest monument ever built honouring all time heroes who died for national and religious freedom in Romania.<\/p>\n