New Romanian cathedral consecrated in Madrid
Despite financial difficulties, the community completed the construction of a church that has become a testimony to the living faith of the Romanian diaspora in Spain.
In the Spanish capital, 20 hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church consecrated the Cathedral of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. The solemn service was led by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovyna, concelebrating with bishops from Romania and across Europe, Basilica.ro reports.
Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal, who bore responsibility for the construction project, reminded the faithful that “just as the Church was founded and built through the work of the Holy Trinity, so the construction of a material church is also the work of the Holy Trinity.”
According to him, the community passed through many trials, hardships, and shortages of funds, but with the help of the King of Glory and the support of ordinary parishioners, the cathedral was completed. “We rejoice together with the Lord in what He Himself has built,” the bishop emphasized, quoting the psalm that says without God’s blessing, every builder’s labor is in vain.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Teofan addressed Romanians living far from their homeland and called on them to preserve their identity through a living bond with God. He noted that the newly consecrated church becomes a place of the Creator’s special presence, where every person’s life is transformed through the Liturgy and the Sacraments.
Diplomats and representatives of the Spanish and Romanian authorities attended the celebration. State Secretary for Religious Affairs Ciprian-Vasile Olinici called the cathedral a testimony to the dignity of the people and an important step in “redefining the vocation of Christian Europe” – creating spaces for Eastern spirituality in a traditionally Latin environment.
As reported earlier by the UOJ, the Primate of the Romanian Church awarded Patriarch Theophilos an order. The Romanian Church in Spain continues to develop alongside the strengthening of ties with other Orthodox Churches and support for communities outside Romania.
