A seven-tonne seven-metre-high cross was mounted on Tuesday on the main dome of the National Cathedral in Bucharest, the highest structure of the building also known as the Pantocrator Dome, because the painting on the ceiling of the central dome of all Christian Orthodox churches represents Jesus Christ Pantocrator, the Almighty.

Patriarchal Assistant Bishop Varlaam Ploiesteanul, together with Father Ciprian Gradinaru, ecclesiarch of the Chapel of the People’s Salvation Cathedral officiated on Tuesday the consecration of the cross.

„There it is, rising before our eyes, surging into the sky of our capital city Bucharest, as a sign of hope, of light for our daily Christian life. And the numbers related to this cross, which is about to be raised, have a special significance: it is seven metres high and weighs seven tonnes, as the number seven in Christian spirituality means perfection, fullness. And we want this cross to be not only the guardian of this cathedral, a strong and invincible cover, but to be for every Romanian, in the country and abroad, a sign of victory and a sign of hope that Christ stands by our side in every trial of our life. And just as His cross, which He willingly carried for us and for our salvation, brought joy to everyone, this cross that will adorn the sky of our capital from the highest spire of the cathedral will illuminate and sanctify our daily life,” said Father Varlaam Ploiestanul.

The cross on the main dome of the National Cathedral was mounted with a crane, the assembly of which began on March 24.

The foundation stone laying ceremony and the consecration of the site for the construction of the National Cathedral, also called the People’s Salvation Cathedral took place on November 29, 2007. According to the institution’s website, the construction is a promise made to the Romanians by the Orthodox and State Church more than 140 years ago, being a symbol of national identity. Located near the Ministry of National Defense, the building is par excellence the Cathedral of all-time Romanian heroes who sacrificed themselves for the defense of the Romanian people and for its organization into an independent state.

With the construction works almost completed, the National Cathedral will be consecrated on October 26 by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church. 2025 marks 140 years since the Romanian Orthodox Church was recognized as an Autocephalous Church and 100 years since it was elevated to the rank of Patriarchate. After this year’s consecration, the National Cathedral will remain open for liturgical services and participation by the faithful.

AGERPRES