Romania’s national cathedral becomes largest Orthodox church in the world

Installation of the cross on the dome of Romania’s National Cathedral. Photo: Basilica

On April 8, 2025, a 7-ton cross was installed atop the large dome of the cathedral in Bucharest, which stands approximately 130 meters high. With the addition of the cross, the structure now reaches a height of 135 meters, making it the tallest and largest Orthodox church in the world, according to the Basilica News Agency.

Before the installation, Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Patriarchal Vicar, performed the rite of blessing the cross.

"Today’s raising of the Holy Cross on the highest dome of our cathedral – the Dome of Almighty God, or Pantocrator – is especially significant," said the Patriarchal Vicar after the ceremony. He noted the upcoming Holy Week, when Christ was crucified on the Cross, as well as the recent canonization of 16 new Romanian saints who bore the cross of suffering during the atheist communist regime.

The National Cathedral will be consecrated on October 26, 2025, as part of the celebration of the centenary of the Romanian Patriarchate, in a ceremony led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Romanian Church is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Patriarchate.

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