The Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral (also known as the Metropolitan Church)
is a functioning religious and civic landmark, on
Dealul Mitropoliei, in
Bucharest,
Romania. It is located near the
Palace of the Chamber of Deputies of the Patriarchate of the
Romanian Orthodox Church. Since it is a working cathedral, it is the site of many religious holidays and observances that take place for those who follow the Orthodox Christian faith in Bucharest, including a
Palm Sunday pilgrimage. The Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the cathedral is known for its
a cappella
''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Ren ...
choir, a common practice shared by all the Orthodox churches, in both their prayer services and liturgical rites. The Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral is a designated
Historical monument—''Monument istoric'' of Romania.
History
The structure was begun in 1655 and completed in 1659 under the orders of the prince
Constantin Șerban.
The
façade is in the
Brâncovenesc style.
All of the original
fresco
Fresco (plural ''frescos'' or ''frescoes'') is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid ("wet") lime plaster. Water is used as the vehicle for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plaste ...
es and sculptures were destroyed, except for the icon of
Constantine and
Helen, who are the
patron saints of the cathedral.
The present-day frescoes were added in 1923 by Dimitrie Belizarie.
In 1862, the Romanian prime minister,
Barbu Catargiu, was assassinated as his open carriage passed in front of the cathedral.
See also
*
Romanian Orthodox Church
Gallery
File:Bukarest 4314.jpg, One of the huge chandelier
A chandelier (; also known as girandole, candelabra lamp, or least commonly suspended lights) is a branched ornamental light fixture designed to be mounted on ceilings or walls. Chandeliers are often ornate, and normally use incandescent li ...
s
File:Bukarest - Patriarchal-Komplex - Glockenturm (1698, erneuert 1958).jpg, The bell tower
File:Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral - external mosaics.jpg, External mosaics
File:Frescos of Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral. Bucharest, Roamnia, Southeastern Europe-2.jpg, Frescoes on the interior wall
File:Flickr - fusion-of-horizons - Catedrala Patriarhală (1).jpg
References
External links
Patriarchal Cathedral
Patriarchal Cathedral, Romanian
Cathedral
Religious buildings and structures completed in 1658
1650s establishments in Romania
1658 establishments in Europe
Historic monuments in Bucharest
Brâncovenesc style architecture
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