Beneath the modern city’s pulse lies a hidden gem. Today we explore Biserica Sfantul Ilie Tesviteanul. This Bulgarian Church in Bucharest holds centuries of stories within its walls.
The first Bulgarian community in Bucharest emerged in the 17th century. Franciscan monks built a wooden church where Biserica Baratia now stands. Almost all Bulgarians in Bucharest are now Orthodox. They gather at Biserica Sfantul Ilie Tesviteanul for worship. It was once known as Kalenderu or Hanul Coltei.
Between 1725 and 1730, Clucerul Radu Coltea built a wooden church. He was a descendant of Coltea Clucerul a Romanian nobleman. In 1745 Hanul Coltea bought land and the church was included in its courtyard. It became known as Biserica Hanul Coltei. By 1770 it appeared on the city map.
An earthquake in 1828 severely damaged the church. In 1841 Lazar Kalenderoglu rebuilt it from the ground up. He was the leaseholder of Hanul Coltea and father to doctor Nicolae Kalinderu. The church was completed on August 30 1841 as its inscription states. From 1895 it was called Biserica Sfantul Ilie Kalenderu.
From 1880 to 1897 Greeks used the church holding services in Greek. Afterward services were held in Romanian. On October 26 1954 the church was given to the Bulgarian Orthodox community. This is according to a newer inscription on the facade. Before this the Archdiocese of Bucharest renovated it. Patriarch Justinian of Romania and Patriarch Kiril of Bulgaria reconsecrated it.
In 2009 the old parish Sfantul Ilie Hanul Coltei was reactivated. The Biserica Bulgara in Bucharest has a cross shape with three naves. It is over 22 meters long and 13 meters wide. The side naves have vaults supported by two rows of three columns. The bell tower sits above the pronaos. The interior and icons of Saints Peter and Paul on the facade were painted in fresco by Stoica Nicolae.
The church stands as a testament to faith resilience and community. Biserica Sfantul Ilie Tesviteanul connects us to Bucharest’s diverse past. It reminds us that history often hides in plain sight waiting to be discovered.