The National Cathedral was opened to the public on Sunday evening, at 8 p.m., and the faithful stood for hours in line to enter the shrine and the altar. The wait extended into the night.
Access of the faithful to the National Cathedral was allowed after 8 p.m. PHOTO captured by Trinitas TV
At 10 p.m., the queue stretched for almost a kilometer, according to a report made by ProTV News. The crowd was spread all the way to 13 Septembrie Boulevard.
The faithful waited in line for several hours to be able to see the interior of the highest Orthodox place of worship in the world.
Those who passed the main gate were divided into groups of about 100 people and then allowed to enter the place one by one.
“It’s the first time we enter such a cathedral, being the largest in the world, you realize, it’s a unique event, we don’t know when we’ll have the opportunity again. I think it’s a very important event. It brings us closer to God.” report a person for the cited source.
An old woman confessed that she couldn’t wait to get to the altar:
“My legs hurt, mom, I’m 85 years old”the woman said, explaining that it was worth the wait.
“It is a moment of the soul, a historic moment that fulfills us”, another woman testified.
Another believer explained that the event is one “very strong for our souls, for everything we are going through now”.
People of all ages waited in line.
“I think that St. Demetrius somehow intercedes so that we don’t feel like we’re standing in line,” said a young woman who had been standing in line for two hours.
Another confessed to waiting four hours.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this”
People from other countries also stood in line.
“We came because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see it. It’s an incredible day. It’s worth the hour and a half wait“, said a person who came from Cyprus.
“A miracle that this people has been waiting for for 100 years”, said a woman from the Philippines
All those who wish, can go to worship in the Holy Altar until October 31, day and night.
We remind you that ten thousand pilgrims and 2,500 official guests, including the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, President Nicusor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, attended the consecration service of the painting of the National Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the world, on Sunday.
The National Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the world,
The construction of the National Cathedral was, in the first phase, contested by a part of the Romanian society, which complained that the huge amount needed could be used to build more hospitals or to carry out other works of public interest.
Later, however, in a country with a majority of over 85% Orthodox and in the context of the return of deep feelings of national identity throughout Europe, the Romanians seem to be more taken with the pride of achieving such a unique construction than interested in the money spent for this. The proof is also the large number of pilgrims from all over the country who reserved their seats in buses long in advance, so that they could come to the event from the Capital.
The National Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the world, with a height of 127 meters, cost over 200 million euros, money coming from donations from companies, individuals and believers, from the funds of the Patriarchate, but also from public funds – annual allocations from the Government, town halls and county councils. The columns of the immense structure are of Brancove inspiration, and the domes of Byzantine inspiration. The building was designed surrounded by a space which, seen from above, has the shape of a chalice. According to the architect of the National Cathedral, Constantin Amâiei, quoted by basilica.ro, the building has, among other things, a museum, spaces for civil defense, a chapel, multipurpose rooms made at the request of the Patriarch for related activities.
