The largest Orthodox cathedral in the world has been consecrated: how the temple looks from the inside.

According to inkorr.com: An important celebration took place in Bucharest — the internal fresco of the Cathedral of the Salvation of the Nation, the largest Orthodox temple in the world, has been consecrated. This solemn event gathered numerous pilgrims and esteemed guests. The cathedral, which took 15 years to build, rises over 125 meters high and can accommodate up to 5,000 people. The interior walls of the temple are breathtaking, adorned with mosaics and icons covering an area of 17,800 square meters.

The consecration was conducted by two patriarchs - Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The ceremony also involved 65 hierarchs, 70 priests, and 12 deacons.

Among the participants of the service were the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, Prime Minister Ilie Boloșan, and President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

Costs and Criticism

The temple symbolizes national identity, but the cost of its construction has triggered mixed reactions. The total cost amounted to about 270 million euros, most of which were allocated from the state budget. Critics argue that this money could have been spent more effectively to improve education and healthcare in a country that has one of the largest budget deficits in the European Union.

According to Eurostat, in August, the volume of construction work in the European Union decreased by 0.9%, while in the Eurozone it decreased by 0.1%. The largest decline in this indicator was recorded in Romania.

In Bucharest, the new phase in the history of the Cathedral was celebrated, emphasizing its symbolic significance for national identity. However, discussions about the costs of constructing the temple continue, as the public contemplates the appropriateness of such expenses in the context of the pressing social needs of the country.