Saint Joseph Cathedral () is a
Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
church in
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest ( , ; ) is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița (river), Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater Buc ...
, that serves as the cathedral of the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest
The Archdiocese of Bucharest () is the Latin Church, Latin Metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Romania.
Its cathedral episcopal see is Bucharest. Ioan Robu was the archbishop from 1990 until his retirement on 21 November 2019. He ...
. It is located at 19 General Berthelot Street.
History
The cathedral was built between 1875 and 1883 by architect Friedrich Schmidt in Vienna and
Carol Benesch
Carol Benesch (January 9, 1822, Jägerndorf, Austro-Hungarian Empire, today Krnov, Czech RepublicOctober 30, 1896, Bucharest, Romania) was a Silesian architect of Historicism and Eclecticism orientation established in the Kingdom of Romania.
He ...
. Its building style belongs to historicism and especially lends style with
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of medieval Europe that was predominant in the 11th and 12th centuries. The style eventually developed into the Gothic style with the shape of the arches providing a simple distinction: the Ro ...
features, with some elements of the
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It evolved f ...
. The building is long and wide. It is the most famous Catholic church in Bucharest. The cathedral was consecrated by Archbishop
Ignatius Paoli, on February 15, 1884, and was attended by "all the priests of the archdiocese, all seminarians, the entire diplomatic corps accredited in Bucharest, President of the Council of Ministers, the President of the Senate, City Hall and many others.
Mihail Kogălniceanu
Mihail Kogălniceanu (; also known as Mihail Cogâlniceanu, Michel de Kogalnitchan; September 6, 1817 – July 1, 1891) was a Romanian Liberalism, liberal statesman, lawyer, historian and publicist; he became Prime Minister of Romania on Octo ...
, impressed the greatness of the worship catholic have to declare in the same year from the parliament, that this cathedral was "the most beautiful religious building that exists in Romania". "patron of the cathedral was chosen in honor of
Saint Joseph
According to the canonical Gospels, Joseph (; ) was a 1st-century Jewish man of Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and was the legal father of Jesus.
Joseph is venerated as Saint Joseph in the Catholic Church, Eastern O ...
and
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under various titles such as virgin or queen, many of them mentioned in the Litany of Loreto ...
. The feast day of the patron of the cathedral is March 19.
Construction
Saint Joseph is the metropolitan cathedral and seat of the archbishop. Its founder is Bishop Ignatius Paoli, from the Passionist Congregation of Monks, and he was the first Archbishop of the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest
The Archdiocese of Bucharest () is the Latin Church, Latin Metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Romania.
Its cathedral episcopal see is Bucharest. Ioan Robu was the archbishop from 1990 until his retirement on 21 November 2019. He ...
. The money to build the cathedral came from believers in Bucharest, from various wealthy personalities, but also from foreign benefactors, acquaintances or friends of Bishop Paoli. The work was led by Dutch Passionist monk Alfons Zegers, an architect by training. He had been called to Bucharest from Passionist monastery in Dublin (Ireland), by Bishop Paoli. Since 1880, work on own were led by skilful architect Carol Benesch.
The stone used in construction was brought from the quarries of
Ruse, Bulgaria
Ruse (also transliterated as Rousse, Russe; ) is the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria. Ruse is in the northeastern part of the country, on the right bank of the Danube, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu, approximately south of Bucharest, R ...
, and bricks were purchased from Bucharest and neighboring villages. Construction work began in the sanctuary apse, with ample facilities for
land consolidation
Land, also known as dry land, ground, or earth, is the solid terrestrial surface of Earth not submerged by the ocean or another body of water. It makes up 29.2% of Earth's surface and includes all continents and islands. Earth's land surface ...
and raising it.
Lack of funds and the outbreak of the
Romanian War of Independence
The Romanian War of Independence () is the name used in Romanian historiography to refer to the phase of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78), in which Romania, fighting on the Russian side of the war, gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. On ...
in 1877 made the work very hard to advance in stages until 1883. In the late autumn of this year construction was completed. On Friday, February 15, 1885, the Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Ignatius Paoli for consecration and inauguration of Saint Joseph Cathedral. Archbishop was surrounded by all his priests, the seminarians studying at the seminary in carved and representatives of civil authorities: Delegate Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the Senate, prefect of police, the mayor of Bucharest and Bucharest entire diplomatic corps. When lifting the palace residence of the Archbishop in 1925 was built a tower in which were mounted six bells of the cathedral. The resistance of the cathedral building was put in danger since the late 1990s by
Cathedral Plaza Bucharest, a building whose construction was declared illegal by Suceava Court of Appeal.
The interior
The main altar of the cathedral was executed in Rome in white Carrara marble, by architect Friedrich Schmidt and
Carol Benesch
Carol Benesch (January 9, 1822, Jägerndorf, Austro-Hungarian Empire, today Krnov, Czech RepublicOctober 30, 1896, Bucharest, Romania) was a Silesian architect of Historicism and Eclecticism orientation established in the Kingdom of Romania.
He ...
, and then mounted in Bucharest by specialist Niccolo Orassi. Woodwork ceiling was apparently executed in
Brasov. Mayer Company of Munich executed original
Stained glass
Stained glass refers to coloured glass as a material or art and architectural works created from it. Although it is traditionally made in flat panels and used as windows, the creations of modern stained glass artists also include three-dimensio ...
windows, destroyed in bombing of April 4, 1944, contained the eight large paintings of the apse windows with scenes from the life of Saint Joseph and the Holy Family, the seven medallions on the walls of the central nave mosaic "Mother of God" and two angels above the outer portal of the cathedral, as well as wood carvings of the
Pulpit
A pulpit is a raised stand for preachers in a Christian church. The origin of the word is the Latin ''pulpitum'' (platform or staging). The traditional pulpit is raised well above the surrounding floor for audibility and visibility, accesse ...
and the Bank for Holy Communion. Decorative painting of the Cathedral nave was executed by Georg Roder in Munich and painter Father Elsner executed decorative painting of the chapel and baptistery of the cathedral naves. Dressing the stucco colonnades, pillars and walls is the work of Italian workshop Aterio brothers. Actual stained glass was designed and executed by Natalia and Ion Brodeală couple in 1980. Large rosette above the organ, choir and the baptistery stained glass was executed in 1985 by the artist Dorin Danila. Chandeliers above the main altar and the candlestick for the Paschal candle was bought in Paris. Organ of the cathedral is one of the best organ concert in Romania. It is operated by an electro-pneumatic system that has three keyboards, flute 3375, 54 main registers and 36 auxiliary registers, with extensive possibilities of combinations required concerted practice. The organ was built and installed by the company L. Wegenstein in Timișoara in 1930, replacing the organ installed in 1892 by Merklin company in Paris. Between October 2009 and April 2010 was restored by Ferdinand Stemmer its Swiss organ.
Renovations
Saint Joseph Cathedral suffered significant damage from the earthquakes of 1929, 1940, 1977, 1986 and 1990, and also due to the American bombing of April 4, 1944 and the German August 24 to 25, 1944. Especially from March 4, 1977, earthquake destroyed many of the facilities inside and outside the cathedral. After each earthquake, the cathedral was repaired and strengthened, but only in parts. Only in 1991 were initiated extensive building works by a plan devised by engineer Professor Alexander Cişmigiu. This work was performed by a unitary thought plan for the entire edifice of the cathedral. In 1986 the works were finished painting the cathedral, begun by the painter Thomas Lasconi and completed the team led by Peter Shepherd. The cathedral is enhanced, but needs repair, both inside and outside. Following the earthquake of 1990 occurred sometimes cracks in the walls, vaults and especially deambulatoriul behind the altar. Because it rains inside, work is underway to replace the roof. Saint Joseph Cathedral was declared monument of art and architecture. And that's why Suceava Court of Appeal decided on 12 July 2011 that the building
Cathedral Plaza Bucharest with 19 floors was built illegally who should have 19 floors removal by mayor of Bucharest,
Sorin Oprescu
Sorin Mircea Oprescu (; born 7 November 1951) is a Romanian independent politician and medical doctor who previously served as Mayor of Bucharest between 2008 and 2015.
Political activity
Oprescu first ran for Mayor of Bucharest in 1998 backed ...
.
Parish
Territorial parish of the Saint Joseph Cathedral, with a separate area of the Barat parish, was established in 1900. Transcripts of parish registers that first baptism was celebrated on February 4, 1884, and the first marriage on May 3, 1884, while still not fully completed the construction and landscaping of the building of the cathedral. Originally, the Cathedral parish was so caring a very large territory, about half the area of Bucharest. In the years 1990–1991 were established, for better and effective pastoral care for the faithful six new parishes: "Blessed Redeemer", "Sacred Heart of Jesus", "Peter and Paul", Baneasa "Assumption", "Birth of Saint John the Baptist" and "Holy Guardian Angel". Now Cathedral parish is a small territory in the downtown area. Cathedral Parish does not have (from August 21, 1958) own rectory so that priests live in the archbishop's palace. The first priest mentioned first as a missionary and then as parish administrator, parish and canonical was Josephus Baud (1898–1911). There followed:
* Canon
Carol Auner, priest (1911–1932);
*
Joseph Schubert (bishop), parish and canonical (1932–1951), arrested on 17 February 1951;
* Despina Andrei (1952–1957);
* Emanuel Kreiss (1957–1960);
* Emil Kendelbacher, former vicar substitute (1960–1980);
* Eugen Szilaghyi – the vicar economy (1980–1982);
* Isidore Mărtincă – priest and dean (1983–1984);
* Joseph Cobzaru delegated between October 1, 1984, and August 1, 1985, as parish administrator;
* Eugen Bortoş – Parish (August 1, 1985 to 2010).
* Ioan Ciobanu – 2010, vicar.
Its community consists of 480 families, comprising approximately 1,700 people. Mass is usually celebrated in Romanian, in the chapel of the Cathedral it take Sundays and Spanish. Spanish community is made up mainly of members of the diplomatic corps in Bucharest who speak this language. They are governed by Father Cristinel Tampu.
Cathedral has no branches, no own cemetery.
Parish: Fr Eugene Bortos
Parochial vicars:
Fr Mitica Baltag OFMC – spiritual
Chancery program:
o'clock weekdays: August 12, 15 19
Sundays and holidays the hours: 9–12, 3:19 p.m.
Masses:
on Sundays and holidays command at times: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 12:15, 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
during the week at times: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Sunday 24:15 am Mass celebrated in Spanish, in the chapel of the cathedral. Spanish community is made up mainly of members of the diplomatic corps in Bucharest who speak this language. They are governed by Father Gilbert Sebastian Iavorschi.
a sister "Notre Dame de Sion" retired (Sr. Veronica)
12 Sisters of the Institute "Saint Mary", occupied with work in the house garden.
Franciscan sister (in the house) engaged candles.
Parochial Caritas by priests and young people seeking to help the poor of the parish, as well as those who come to the cathedral with various troubles.
A social worker dealing with the specific problems in this area of the parish. "Pro Deo", "Catholic Medical Organization," "Catholic Organization" – all belonging to the Archdiocese. A dispensary with a medicine cabinet and one of dentistry. A Primary School "Saint Anthony" belongs to the Foundation "Saint Andrew".
Congregations and associations present
* Nuns Institute "St. Maria "
* Caritas parish, dedicated to works of charity
* "Pro Deo", Catholic Medical Organization, Catholic Organization – all belonging to the Archdiocese.
* "MCL Association – Christian Workers Movement" and the "neighbor" – collaboration for the "A chance for everyone" and "I'm listening" .
* "Durcovici Academy" – suggests conferences and educational programs.
Events
On May 8, 1999, during his visit to Romania,
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005.
In his you ...
concelebrated in the Saint Joseph Cathedral an Eastern Rite Mass together with the entire hierarchy of the Greek Catholic Church in Romania. Upon the pope's arrival, first there was baptism in the chapel where Cardinal
Alexandru Todea
Alexandru Todea (5 June 1912, Teleac, Mureș County–22 May 2002, Târgu Mureș) was a Romanian Greek-Catholic bishop of the Alba Iulia Diocese and later cardinal. He was also a victim of the communist regime, suffering at Jilava, Sighet, ...
greeted Bishop
Joseph Schubert (bishop) on the night of November 19, 1950 when Alexander Todea, an underground Greek-Catholic priest, became a bishop.
See also
*
List of cathedrals in Romania
This is the list of cathedrals in Romania sorted by Christian denominations, denomination.
Eastern Orthodox Romanian Orthodox
Cathedrals of the Romanian Orthodox Church:
* Coronation Cathedral, Alba Iulia, Coronation Cathedral in Alba Iulia
* ...
*
Catholicism in Romania
Romanian Catholics, like Catholics elsewhere, are members of the Catholic Church under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and Roman Curia, Curia in Rome. The administration for the local Latin Church is centered in Bucharest, and comprises two ...
Bibliography
* Dănuț Doboș, Eugen Bortoș (editori): Parohia Catedralei Sf. Iosif din București. Monografie, Editura Arhiepiscopiei Romano-Catolice, București, 2005. .
References
External links
Catedrala Sf. Iosif , Site oficialHarta Monumentelor Istorice din Bucuresti
{{Authority control
Churches in Bucharest
Historic monuments in Bucharest
Roman Catholic cathedrals in Romania
Roman Catholic churches completed in 1883
19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Romania