Here stands the Cathedral of Saint Basil the Great. This is Bucharest’s first Romanian Greek-Catholic church. Its story is one of faith perseverance and ultimate triumph.
Saint Basil exists as a legal entity since 1829. However it was not a place of worship. It was used as a Roman Catholic Chapel. This chapel was located at Călărași Street.
In 1893 Demetriu Radu bought land for a church. He was the future bishop and pastor of the church. The land was at 194 Polonă Street now number 50. The acquisition was made on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church. Authorities did not want the Romanian Greek Catholic Church to own property. This was in the Romanian Old Kingdom.
Authorities imposed conditions for the church’s construction. It had to be less visible to passers-by. So the church was built 30 metres from the street. Greek Catholic faithful financed the construction. The Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia also contributed. The Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest helped too. Demetriu Radu donated a significant amount. He later became a bishop.
In 1909 Archbishop Raymund Netzhammer sanctified the cornerstone. This was on the feast of Saints Constantine and Helena. Ioan Bălan and Prince Vladimir Ghika assisted him. Only seven months later Archbishop Netzhammer consecrated the church. He was under whose jurisdiction were Greek Catholics in Bucharest. Architect Nicolae Ghica-Budești built it. It was modeled after the church of Saint George in Baia. Some say Stephen III of Moldova designed that one.
After World War I Saint Basil Church came under the Archdiocese of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia. This happened with the establishment of the Deanery of Bucharest. In 1940 the church became a cathedral. This was the year the Vicariate for Bucharest and the Old Kingdom was established.
Bishop Vasile Aftenie worked here. Then he was arrested by the Securitate in 1948. The church was occupied by an Orthodox parish. Aftenie was beaten to death in Securitate cells. Tit Liviu Chinezu was also arrested.
After these arrests three priests took over the Vicariate. These were Natanail Munteanu Gheorghe Radu and Vasile Mare. Zenovie Păclișanu later took over the Vicarage. He was arrested in 1949. He died in Jilava Prison after nine years.
After the Romanian Revolution in 1989 the Greek Catholic parish reopened. It asked for its church back. Orthodox hierarchs initially promised to return it. But they changed their position. There are six Orthodox churches near Saint Basil the Great.
In 2005 the Patriarch reaffirmed his intention to return the Church of Saint Basil. But the promise was not kept immediately. The recovery continued in the courts. The Greek Catholic parish won after 14 years.
Saint Basil the Great Church returned in 2006. It went back to the Romanian Greek Catholic Church. An Orthodox priest used the rectory until February 2007.
In 2008 a new Greek Catholic bishop was installed Mihai Frățilă. The building was elevated to cathedral. In 2014 the Diocese of Saint Basil the Great of Bucharest was inaugurated. Cardinal Lucian Mureșan presided over the Holy and Divine Liturgy. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri was also present.
The church of Saint Basil served four Greek Catholic bishops. These were Demetriu Radu Vasile Aftenie Tit Liviu Chinezu and Ioan Bălan. All of them were suppressed in communist prisons. Monsignor Vladimir Ghika served here in 1943. George Coșbuc belonged to this parish. Greek Catholic politicians frequented the church during the interwar period. These included Iuliu Maniu Corneliu Coposu and Alexandru Vaida-Voevod.
The Cathedral of Saint Basil the Great stands as a testament to resilience. It represents the enduring spirit of faith. It overcame political oppression. It remains a beacon of hope for the Greek Catholic community in Bucharest.