Bucharest, October 27, 2025
Photo: basilica.ro
The primates of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople concelebrated with a host of hierarchs and clergy to consecrate the mosaics at the People’s Salvation Cathedral in Bucharest yesterday, October 26.
At 415 feet tall, the cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in the world.
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who was last in Romania for the consecration of the same cathedral’s altar in 2018, arrived on Friday to participate in the mosaic consecration.
During a Te Deum served on Friday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized that Sunday’s consecration is a central part of the celebrations of the 140th anniversary of the Romanian Church’s autocephaly and the 100th anniversary of its elevation to the Patriarchal dignity, which is being celebrated throughout 2025.
Photo: basilica.ro
In honor of these Romanian Church anniversaries, Patriarch Bartholomew offered a speech about the authority and glory of Constantinople.
The consecration service yesterday was preceded by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarchal vicar bishops. The consecration itself began with three Gospel readings by Pat. Daniel, Pat. Bartholomew, and His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Bukovina on the porch of the church, reports the Basilica News Agency.
The mosaics of the Apostles Andrew and Philip, who brought Christianity to what is today Romania, were blessed and consecrated by the Patriarchs, while the exterior walls of the cathedral were consecrated by Romanian hierarchs.
Photo: basilica.ro
The mosaics inside the altar and throughout the church were also blessed and consecrated by the Patriarchs and the concelebrating hierarchs. The Patriarchs also blessed two silver reliquaries built for the relics of Sts. Dionisie and Petroniu of Mt. Athos, who were canonized by Constantinople in August. Several disciples of the saints were present at Sunday’s consecration.
The Patriarch’s then offered addresses, offering thanks for the chance to serve together. Pat. Bartholomew gifted his Romanian counterpart with a pastoral staff, while Pat. Daniel gifted his guest an icon of St. Bartholomew.
The service was broadcast live by the Romanian Church’s Trinitas TV:
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