In Romania, memorial cross placed on site of church demolished under communism

A memorial cross on the site of a church destroyed by communists. Photo: Basilica.ro

On May 14, 2026, near the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, a consecration ceremony was performed for a memorial cross on the site of the former Spirea Veche church, destroyed under the communist regime in 1984, reports Basilica.ro. The installation of the cross became an act of moral reparation for the crimes of godless authorities against the Church and the faithful people.

The blessing service was officiated by Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, Exarch of the Monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. The the monument was erected by the PEACE-FIRST ROMANIA Group in the Romanian Parliament as a moral act of reparation.

The Spirea Veche Church, which gave its name to an entire district of Bucharest, was built by the Greek physician Spirea (Spyridon Kristofi) before 1765, with the assistance of his relative Christofi, on land belonging to the Metropolis of Wallachia. In 1921, a magnificent basilica was built on this site according to the design of Professor Ion D. Traianescu. Military personnel used to take their oath at the Dealul Spirii Church.

However, in 1984, the Ceaușescu regime demolished it, together with the nearby “Life-Giving Spring” Church, in order to make way for the construction of the House of the People.

Despite the authorities' vandalism, the community managed to save part of the interior decoration: church stained glass windows, choir stalls, and the venerated icon of Saint Spyridon. Today these relics remain in the Bucharest church of Saint Stylianos (Lucaci), reminding of the tragic pages of history.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Primate of the Romanian Church awarded Patriarch Theophilos with an order.

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