“Hagiu?” I hear you ask. The name itself hints at the sacred history we are about to uncover at Biserica Ortodoxă Hagiu – Adormirea Maicii Domnului. This Romanian Orthodox church stands on Strada Traian in Bucharest. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith and resilience.
Let’s step back in time. During the reign of Saint Constantin Brâncoveanu, a monastery stood where Biserica Hagiu now resides. The stareț or abbot had visited holy sites. People considered him “hagiu” meaning sanctified. This gave the church its unique name.
Between 1765 and 1767, Mihail, a descendant of the Babeanu family, built a stone church on the site of the old wooden one. He later became a monk named Misail. He added six cells to house poor widows. These cells remained until 1920.
Threatened with demolition, Biserica Hagiu was renovated in 1831 with the help of its parishioners. It became too small and began to decay. Then, between 1872 and 1874, the church was rebuilt from the ground up. This was thanks to the efforts of priest Ioan Călin and donor Radu Ștefănescu-Cavafu.
The bell tower was added in 1936 with the support of the city hall. The parish house followed in 1930 in Romanian style. It has a ground floor and an upper floor.
Over the years, the church has seen many changes. The exterior was coated in stone dust. The interior floor was replaced with Venetian mosaic. In 1997, the fence was raised and the gates were replaced. The wrought iron design features wheat and grapes. These are symbols of the Eucharist.
Inside Biserica Hagiu, the architecture is a Greek cross. Two small rectangular towers frame the front dome. An inscription in the porch tells the story. It speaks of Misail Monahu and the rebuilding in 1872. Radu Ștefănescu Cavafu donated one thousand gold coins.
The first painting, done in 1874, deteriorated. In 1898, painter Ioan Bărbulescu repainted the church. He was a student of Gheorghe Tattarescu. The iconostasis is made of fir wood with linden carvings. It is gilded with schlachmetal.
Biserica Hagiu has a fragment of the relics of Saint Grigorie Decapolitul. It also has an ancient icon of the Mother of God. Many have found healing before this icon.
During World War II, when Bucharest was bombed, the church offered shelter. A subterranean refuge was built in the courtyard. Biserica Hagiu continues to support the poor. This tradition is especially strong during its four feast days.
Biserica Hagiu has been home to many important figures. These include theology professors and great speakers. One such figure was priest Professor Grigore Popescu. He oversaw the construction of the bell tower and parish house. He wrote a book about the church called “A Corner of the City and a Holy Place.”
Today, Biserica Hagiu stands as a beacon of faith. It is a place of history and healing. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Bucharest.