How many churches do you know that have been moved? Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul is such a church. It stands here as a testament to faith. It also stands as a feat of engineering.
Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul has a rich history. It stands on old Sherban Vodă street. This is near the Beilicului Bridge over the Dambovitza River. Churches have crowned this area since 1774.
The leaders of the old furrier and dyer guilds built Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul. The church was restored in 1818. This act was carved in stone. Future generations would then know the names of old and new founders. These names ranged from Ioanichie Ieromonahul to Zamfira.
Restoration work occurred again in 1847. Dyer guild members supported the work. Iordache was the epitrop or tutor of this holy church. The reigning prince was George Bibesco. Abs. D. Neofit called for donations from believers. These names were engraved and placed at the church entrance.
Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul was restored and adorned several times. The basement was restored between 1930 and 1940. This occurred during the time of Patriarchs Miron Cristea and Nicodim Munteanu. Joseph Keber renewed the painting.
More restoration took place between 1965 and 1966. This was during the time of Patriarch Justinian. Believers who frequented the holy church supported it. Electric light and central heating were introduced at that time.
In 1968, five glass windows were painted. They were painted in the traditional way on the front windows south. The painter was Traian Parvu.
In 1970, O. Greceanu washed the painting. The mosaic “Baptism of God” was placed on the frontispiece. In 1971, mosaics of St. Ap. Peter and Paul were made in the porch. The painter was Josef Wass. Sculptor Francis Heteni made the frame.
On May 30, 1986, something remarkable happened to Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul. The church was moved 23 meters. It was moved at an angle of 37 degrees. The slope was 2.8 degrees. Engineer Eugeniu Iordachescu led the team that designed and executed this solution.
From 1965 to 2006, Rev. Paul Munteanu served as vicar. Since 2007, the church has undergone a comprehensive transformation.
The church has been endowed with a fully equipped modern sound system. The gas plums were recovered. A central heating mural was put into service. The electrical installation was totally recovered and expanded. This included copper cables, new circuits, and electrical panels.
Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul has been decorated. This includes Byzantine icons painted on wood, pieces of furniture, rugs, slippers, and coverings. There are also unique objects and four sets of embroidered church robes. Many other religious objects came from Greece.
Worn and unsightly carpentry glazed has been replaced. Light oak PVC double glazing windows were installed. Chandeliers, candles, and other cultic objects have been refurbished. They have also been cleaned, silvered, and gilded.
Court proceedings began. They sought to acquire ownership of the church and the surrounding land. This was after the translation of 1986. The anaphornion has been refurbished. It features carved door cabinets, a granite countertop, and a sink in the massif granite.
Wall decoration with wood carvings has started in the Holy Shrine. Parquets were mounted. A new space was arranged. The library was enriched. A new pavement was mounted at the entrance to Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul. A kiosk was installed for the expansion of besmear.
Projects and estimates were drafted and approved. These were for restoring the iconostasis and washing painting. The necessary scaffolding was mounted. The restoration of the painting has started.
With the blessing of Patriarch Daniel PF Father, small parts of the relics of Saint Epictet and Astion were brought. These are Martyrs and Doctors without pieces of silver. They are in a small coffin carved from walnut from Cyprus. Pc. Deacon Nicu Busuioc crafted it.
The old fence in front of Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul has been replaced. It now features wrought iron panels with St. John the Baptist.
Biserica Sfântul Ioan Valahul stands not only as a place of worship. It is also a testament to resilience. It also shows continuous renewal. It reflects the enduring faith of its community. It honors the legacy of Saint John the Wallachian.