A towering stone cross dominates the altar. This is Biserica Sfintii Ioachim si Ana. Its history is woven into the very fabric of Bucharest. We stand before a testament to faith resilience and survival.
Biserica Sfintii Ioachim si Ana also known as Biserica Sfintii Ioachim si Ana – Oborul Vechi is an Orthodox church. It’s part of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. Its patron saints are Ioachim and Ana. The church sits on Strada Traian near the old fire station. It was built in three distinct stages.
The story begins not with bricks and mortar but with a cross. Nearly 300 years ago this land was on Bucharest’s edge. A bustling cattle and grain market existed here. Famine and plague ravaged the city around 1718-1719. Serdar Matei Mogoș erected a magnificent 4.25-meter-tall cross. People prayed there. This act of faith was a beacon of hope amidst despair.
The cross stood alone for a time. It became a focal point for the community. People sheltered under its makeshift roof during harsh weather. They hung their clothes on the cross a unique act of devotion. This simple cross formed the heart of the future church.
In 1768 Metropolitan Grigore II saw the cross neglected. He ordered a church to be built around it. The initial cross and its protective chapel became the Holy Altar. A small nave was added without apses. This was the second stage of construction.
The church was small called “Oborul Vechi” or “The Outer Market”. The city expanded. The cattle market moved. The church kept its name. Alexandru Ipsilanti the ruler of Wallachia gifted the church an icon of Saints Ioachim and Ana. Tradition says it came from Constantinople. It is still the church’s main icon. It bears a Greek inscription a prayer for Alexandru Ipsilanti and Ecaterina Doamna.
The remarkable stone cross remains. It is a stunning architectural monument. It is described as full of beautiful carvings and Byzantine arabesques. The Romanian inscription is a prayer for the protection of Romania. It’s a powerful reminder of faith and hope in times of hardship.
The church became too small. The congregation extended it by 5 meters. A pronaos and two side apses were added. This completed the third and final stage of construction. Remnants of 18th-century frescoes remain in the pronaos and nave. In 1938 a porch was added. It was repainted in 1999-2004 with images of Romanian saints.
Biserica Sfintii Ioachim si Ana Oborul Vechi is a listed historical monument. It’s dated to 1780. It holds precious 18th-century icons. They are valuable examples of religious art in Romania. The church is a living testament to Bucharest’s past. It stands as a symbol of enduring faith. It’s a place where history and spirituality intertwine. A place of prayer for centuries.