Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in the Romanian capital on Sunday to venerate religious paintings inside the world’s largest Christian Orthodox church, opening after 15 years of construction. Worshipers and officials flocked to the People’s Salvation Cathedral, known as the National Cathedral.
The massive building, rising over 125 meters (410 ft) at its highest point, boasts a lavish interior richly decorated with frescoes and mosaics depicting revered saints and icons. It is designed to accommodate 5,000 worshipers in the deeply Orthodox nation.
The concept of a national cathedral for the country of approximately 19 million people has been discussed for more than a century. Its implementation was repeatedly hindered by two world wars and decades of communist rule, which actively sought to suppress the religion. romanian orthodox church The cathedral has been called “a symbol of national identity”.
Romania is one of the holiest countries in the European Union, with about 85% of the population being religious.
Located behind the massive Palace of the People, built by the late communist leader Nicolae CeausescuConstruction of the cathedral finally began in 2010, and its altar was consecrated in 2018. It has cost 270 million euros ($313 million) so far, most of it from public funds, and some work still remains to be completed.
Traffic was restricted for the Sunday service, which was attended by President Nikosor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bologen. Many worshipers watched through TV screens set up outside the cathedral.
According to the cathedral’s website, the cathedral’s mosaics and statuary cover an area of 17,800 square meters (191,000 sq ft).
Daniel Codrescu, who spent seven years working on the frescoes and mosaics, told The Associated Press that much of the statue was inspired by medieval Romanian painting and other paintings from the Byzantine world.
“It was a complex collaboration with the church, with art historians, with artists, with our friends of contemporary art,” he said. “I hope that (the church) is going to have a very significant impact on society because … it’s a public space.”
With one of the largest budget deficits in the European Union, not everyone in Romania was happy with the cost of the project. Critics lament that the huge church has used up public money that could have been spent on schools or hospitals.
Claudio Tufis, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University bucurestiSaid that the project was a “waste of public funds”, but said it could “foster national pride and identity” for some Romanians.
“The fact that they have forced politicians to pay for it year after year, in some cases taking money from communities that really need that money, shows that this was a show of force, not a show of humility and love. God,” he said. ”Economically, it could be OK in the long run because it will be a tourist attraction.”
Reres Gheorghiz, 37, supports the church but said the money would be better spent on health and education as “a matter of good governance”.
“The big problem in society is that most of the people who criticize do not follow the activities of the church,” he said.