National Cathedral consecrated, Maia Sandu attends Bucharest event
The National Cathedral of Romania, also known as the People's Salvation Cathedral, is consecrated on Sunday, October 26.
The ceremony is being held in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Patriarch of Romania Daniel.
Thousands of believers are attending the service in Bucharest, alongside numerous high-ranking officials and dignitaries. These include Romanian President Nicușor Dan, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, and the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, Hotnews reports.
Maia Sandu will participate in Bucharest at the major Consecration Ceremony of the mosaic painting of the National Cathedral.
The event is being described as the building's 'spiritual completion' and marks the finalization of the elaborate mosaic painting and other major interior works, following more than 15 years of construction.
Until October 31, the place of worship will be open to believers, including overnight, who will be able to access the altar for veneration. The post-event schedule—and when the cathedral will be open again to the public—remains unclear at this moment.
During the actual consecration service, only official guests have access inside the cathedral. The remaining worshipers are following the proceedings from outside, watching on screens specially mounted near the access steps.
The Consecration Ceremony began on Sunday at 07:30 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 12:30 PM, according to the official program published by Basilica.ro.
Due to the event, traffic restrictions and high-level security measures are in place across the capital, the Romanian press notes. Hundreds of police officers and gendarmes are deployed at key points to guide participants and manage traffic flow. As a result, car traffic is completely blocked on the capital's main boulevards until late in the evening.
Additionally, Maia Sandu's Sunday program in Bucharest also includes a scheduled meeting with the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
