What if I told you that this church holds a secret connected to a wedding? This is Biserica Ortodoxă Podeanu. It is a church with a fascinating story. It stands as a beacon of faith in Bucharest.
Biserica Podeanu’s origins trace back to the generosity of Nicolae Podeanu. He donated the land and funds for its construction. Work began in 1926. It finished in 1928. The church derives its name from this benefactor. Others joined him as founders. They were Ioan and Paraschiva Petru.
Step inside Biserica Podeanu. Admire the frescoes painted by Dumitru Belizarie. He worked in the neo-Byzantine style. He completed this work between 1930 and 1932.
The church faced challenges. The 1940 earthquake damaged Biserica Podeanu. Bombardments in 1944 inflicted further damage. The two smaller towers needed rebuilding. The surrounding neighborhood also suffered greatly.
Restoration efforts have been constant. In 1975, workers repaired the exterior. Virginia Videa restored the interior paintings in 1976. Iosif Vass created the mosaic icons on the facade. They depict Saints Peter and Paul.
More recently, in 1996, engineers developed a consolidation plan. The entire structure underwent underpinning. Architects Adrian and Victoria Cosmin oversaw the work. Parishioners contributed to the effort. After spending over three billion lei, Dumitru Banica restored Dimitrie Belizarie’s mural paintings.
In 2002, builders enlarged the ante-nave. Master Dan Gogu painted its interior. It became a true pronaos. A chapel was built in the basement. It is accessible via an external staircase on the north side.
During these renovations, Textila Dacia SA provided support. This act mirrored historical patronage. The church became known as the church of textile workers.
The parish priest Vasile Ailioaei dedicated himself to restoring Biserica Podeanu. He aimed to bring it to its current glory. He wanted the work to reach near perfection.
Biserica Podeanu has a unique distinction. It houses the relics of Saint Apostle Simon the Zealot. He was one of the twelve apostles. He preached the true faith far from Romania. His journeys took him from Egypt to Mauritania. He traveled from Britain to Persia. He was crucified in Snanir.
The relics of Saint Simon the Zealot rest in a case. It is placed under a marble slab. You will find it in front of the iconostasis. Patriarch Teoctist reconsecrated the church on October 24, 2004.
The church follows a trefoil plan. It measures 26.90 meters by 10-14.30 meters. A large tower rises over the nave. Two smaller bell towers stand above the pronaos. All have octagonal shapes. Each is topped with a pyramidal roof covered in metal sheet.
The entrance from the street is flanked by two pairs of tall columns. They are connected by a rounded arch. This arch sits at the height of the new ante-nave. It mirrors the curve of the roof. A sculpted wooden portal supports a trefoil window. Above this, a rosette filters light into the interior.
Inside, the narthex narrows. This is due to the two side rooms. They contain stairs to the towers. The nave features a barrel vault. The apses are covered with semi-domes. The octagonal Pantocrator tower rests on double arches.
The facades are plastered and painted. Semicircular windows adorn them. Stained glass enriches these windows. A row of niches under the cornice enhances the architectural design. Mosaic panels flank the entrance. They display icons of Saints Peter and Paul.
Two parish houses stand on the grounds. One dates to 1929 behind the altar. The other faces the street built in 1933. The graves of the first founders lie on the north side. You will also find the tomb of Bishop Valerian Zaharia of Oradea.
Legend says Saint Simon the Zealot was the groom at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Here Jesus performed his first miracle. He turned water into wine. Simon left everything to follow Christ after witnessing this event.
So, remember Biserica Podeanu. It is more than a beautiful building. It is a testament to faith. It is a sanctuary of history. It is a place touched by the divine.