View source for People's Salvation Cathedral

{{Short description|Romanian Orthodox cathedral under construction in Bucharest}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox church
| name = People's Salvation Cathedral
| fullname = 
| other name = 
| native_name = ''Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului''
| native_name_lang = ro
| image = Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului (Martie 2024).jpg
| imagesize = 270
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| caption = People's Salvation Cathedral in March 2024
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| coordinates = {{coord|44|25|33.26|N|26|4|56.37|E|display=inline,title}}
| osgraw = <!--  TEXT -->
| osgridref = <!-- {{gbmappingsmall| TEXT}} -->
| location = 13 September Ave (4–60), Sector 5, [[Bucharest]]
| country = {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Romania]]
| denomination = [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] <!-- The denomination [[Romanian Orthodox]] or [[Romanian Orthodox Church]] does not have the yellow/#FFCF00 (Template:Infobox religious building/color) color distributed like all other Orthodox countries... please someone can offer to modify! -->
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| website = {{URL|catedralaneamului.ro}}
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| consecrated date = 25 November 2018
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| status = Under construction
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| style = [[Neo-Byzantine]]
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| groundbreaking = 15 December 2010
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| construction cost = €250 mil (March, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observatornews.ro/eveniment/cum-arata-acum-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-vasile-banescu-lamureste-situatia-donatiilor-prin-cod-qr-nu-contine-nimic-satanic-560282.html?fbclid=PAAaY0pw8tniwxkVaqc57rrBHlsYkhqnefrjbIRdD9v9I25wOXtUBRZAdskks |title=So far, the People's Salvation Cathedral has cost 230 million euros, but need a lot more money. |last=(reportage with Vasile Bănescu, the BOR spokesperson) |publisher=Antena-Observator |website= www.observatornews.ro |date=2024-01-26 |access-date=2024-01-27 |language=Ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/bani-guvern-catedrala/32876640.html |title=In the first three months of 2024, the Cathedral receives 24 million euros for further work from various state institutions. |last=Simona |first=Cârlugea |publisher=Europa Liberă |newspaper=Europa Liberă România |date=2024-03-25 |language=ro}}</ref>
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| capacity = 7,000<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/><ref name="Atlas-geografic">{{Cite news|url=https://atlas-geografic.net/cea-mai-inalta-biserica-ortodoxa-din-lume/|title=Cea mai înaltă biserică ortodoxă din lume|last=P.|first=A.|date=5 December 2019|work=Atlas-geografic.net|language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.euronews.com/2018/12/14/as-its-150-year-cathedral-project-nears-completion-romania-s-church-seeks-to-rebuild-trust|title=According to the Romanian patriarch, the cathedral will accommodate up to 8,000 people, with around 3,000 of those seated.|last=Raluca|first=Besliu|date=14 December 2018|work=Euronews.com|language=en-US}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name=Capacity|The cathedral is projected for over 20,000 people in the main cathedral building and underground galleries. A total of 7,000 people/worshipers can attend the holy liturgy at the same time, with 1,000 choirs, clergy and 6,000 pilgrims in the main cathedral building. The underground chapel could accommodate 5,000 pilgrims/people, and the underground St.Andrew's Cave gallery could accommodate over 10,000 pilgrims/people.}}<br />323,000 m<sup>3</sup><ref name="Observatornews">{{Cite news|url=https://observatornews.ro/eveniment/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-tot-ce-trebuie-sa-stii-276460.html|title=The largest Orthodox cathedral in the world (dimensions)|date=24 November 2018|work=Observatornews.ro|language=Ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dcnews.ro/topul-bisericilor-din-lume-pe-ce-loc-este-catedrala-neamului_625206.html|title=The top churches in the world: People's Salvation Cathedral, height 135 m and gross volume 323,000 m<sup>3</sup>|last=Vlad|first=Fiscuțean|date=25 November 2018|work=Dcnews.ro|access-date=2020-09-05|language=Ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/locale/cluj-napoca/foto-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-fata-fata-cele-mai-mari-mai-frumoase-biserici-lume-1_5bfac1b6df52022f75cc5f01/index.html|title=The dimensions of the People's Salvation Cathedral|last=Remus|first=Florescu|date=2018-11-25|website=Adevarul.ro}}</ref>
| length = 126.1 m (interior)<ref name="CatedralaNationala">{{Cite news |url=https://catedrala-nationala.ro/conceptul-catedralei/#catedrala-nationala |title= Catedrala Națională |publisher=Catedrala Nationala |website=www.catedrala-nationala.ro |language=ro}}</ref><br />140.7 m (stairs)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basilica.ro/patriarhul-anunta-destinatia-unui-spatiu-subteran-al-catedralei-nationale-pestera-citadina-a-sfantului-andrei/|title=The length of the underground chapel Saint Andrew's Cave is 140 m length ''(its the same length as the cathedral stairs)''|work=Romanian Patriarhate – Catedralaneamului.ro|language=ro}}</ref>
| width = 67.7 m<ref name="CatedralaNationala"/>
| width nave = 25.2 m (width-int)<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/><br />78.6 m (length-int)
| height = 127.1 m (135 m with the cross when completed)<ref name="TopDome"/>
| height nave = 44 m (interior)<ref name="Digi-24">{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/social/interviu-se-vor-face-multe-teze-de-doctorat-despre-constructia-catedralei-583785|title= Detalii despre construcția Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului ''(interviu cu Nicolae Crângașu consilier patriarhal și Vasile Bănescu purtător de cuvânt al Patriarhiei Române)''|last=Prelipceanu|first=Cosmin|date=7 October 2016|website=[[Digi24]]|language=ro}}</ref>
| floor count = 
| floor area = 6,100 m<sup>2</sup><ref name="Largest1">{{Cite web|url=http://business-review.eu/br-exclusive/cathedral-of-the-nations-salvation-the-largest-orthodox-church-in-the-world-two-days-before-the-consecration-191764|title= It is currently the largest orthodox church in the world, with its 6,000 m<sup>2</sup>.|date=23 November 2018|work=Business Review Romania}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stirilekanald.ro/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-va-fi-sfiintita-pe-30-noiembrie-17576650|title= Inginer Vasile Crăcăoanu, consilier patriarhal: Catedrala la nivelul podelei (cota naosului) are 7200 metri pătrați.|date=10 January 2018|work=Stirilekanald.ro|language=Ro}}</ref><br />8,400 m<sup>2</sup> (stairway)<ref name="Felbermayr">{{Cite web|title=Ridicarea celui mai mare clopot pentru biserică din lume... lucrările pentru construcția de aproximativ 9.000 m<sup>2</sup> au început în toamna anului 2010.|url=https://www.bautrans.cc/fileadmin/user_upload/informer/2018/Informer_2018_2_rum.pdf|access-date=21 May 2020|publisher=Felbermayr Romania Holding (weight lifting company)|date=2018|language=ro}}</ref><ref name="Cadastral.Plan"/>
| dome quantity = Dome, 6 towers, Bell tower
| dome height outer = 127.1 m (ground-top lantern, without the cross)<ref name="TopDome"/><ref name="DomeHeight">{{Cite news|url=https://evz.ro/catedrala-neamului-va-fi-sfintita-la-134-de-ani-de-cand-regele-ca.html|title=Catedrala va avea înălţimea de 127 de metri faţă de sol, 120 de metri față de cota naosului şi 7 metri crucea.|last=Călin Pena|first=Roland|date=19 November 2018|work=Evz.ro|language=Ro}}</ref><br /> 120.3 m (floor-top lantern, without the cross)<ref name="CatedralaNationala"/>
| dome height inner = 106.3 m (floor-dome ceiling)<ref name="Pantocrator106"/><ref name="Pantocrator1"/><ref name="Pantocrator2"/>
| dome dia outer = 29.4 m (colonnade)
| dome dia inner = 16.8 m (inner)
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}}

The '''People's Salvation Cathedral''' ({{langx|ro|Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului}}; ''People's Redemption Cathedral'' a better translation of the name), also known as the '''National Cathedral''' ({{langx|ro|Catedrala Națională|link=no}}), is an [[Eastern Orthodox]] cathedral under construction in [[Bucharest]] to serve as the patriarchal cathedral of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basilica.ro/precizare-privind-utilizarea-denumirii-de-catedrala-nationala-ca-sinonim-pentru-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului/|title=Oficiul de Stat pentru Invenții și Mărci (OSIM): Catedrala Națională sau Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului – M04409 emisă în data de 03 noiembrie 2016|last=Sorin|first=Ionițe|date=12 April 2019|work=Romanian Patriarhate (Basilica.ro)|language=ro}}</ref> It is located in central Bucharest on [[Dealul Spirii|Spirea's Hill]] (Arsenal Square), facing the same courtyard as the [[Palace of the Parliament|Palace of Parliament]] which is the heaviest building in the world,<ref name="Heaviest">{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/heaviest-building/|title=Heaviest building – THE PALACE OF THE PARLIAMENT|work=Guinness World Records}}</ref> the cathedral having a one-tenth of its weight and about one-fifth of its volume.<ref name="AV.Weight"/><ref name="CatedralaNationala"/> Situated behind the Palace of Parliament, this will make it 50 metres taller than the Palace, and will help to make the cathedral an iconic landmark in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://somethingoffreedom.com/things-to-do-in-bucharest-romania/|title=Things to do in Bucharest: 18.People's Salvation Cathedral|date=2018-11-30|work=Somethingoffreedom.com}}</ref> The People's Salvation Cathedral to {{convert|135|m|ft}} height (ground-cross), holds a dominant position in [[Bucharest]]'s cityscape, being visible from all approaches to the city.<ref name="BucharestMunicipality">{{Cite web|url=http://urbanism.pmb.ro/duat-su/dezbatere%20publica/puz%20-%20dublare%20diametrala%20nord%20-%20sud%20tronson%20ii/plan.pdf|title=Document: ''Bucharest General Municipality (www.pmb.ro) through the Urbanism Department (www.urbanism.pmb.ro), according to the PUZ Diametral North-South section II, scale 1:2000, no.36/29.11.2013 with Annex-2 HCCMB 44/2014, approves the height of 135.0 m for the People's Salvation Cathedral.''|work=Bucharest General Municipality|access-date=2020-08-30}}</ref><ref name="TopDome">{{Cite news|url=https://b365.ro/bucurestiul-vazut-de-sus-din-turla-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului-cele-mai-spectaculoase-imagini-dintr-un-loc-cu-circuit-inchis-407503/|title=Catedrala va avea o înălțime de 135 de metri pentru care constructorii au deja avizul Autorității Aeronautice.|last=Catinca|first=Irimia|date=2021-03-01|work=b365.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

It is the [[List of tallest Eastern Orthodox church buildings|tallest]] and [[List of largest church buildings|largest Eastern Orthodox church building]] by volume,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marcegagliabuildtech.com/news/# |title=The People's Salvation Cathedral is the tallest and largest Orthodox church in the world by volume |date=21 May 2020 |publisher=Marcegaglia Buildtech |access-date=2020-08-30}}</ref><ref name="Ianthearchitect">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ianthearchitect.org/building-the-largest-orthodox-cathedral-in-the-world-in-bucharest/|title=Building the largest Orthodox Cathedral in the world in Bucharest|last=Caldwell|first=Ian|date=2018-07-09|work=Ianthearchitect.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/25/romania-thousands-attend-blessing-of-controversial-cathedral|title=Romania: The Orthodox cathedral will be the tallest in the world|date=25 November 2018|work=Theguardian.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dogma.gr/kosmos/egkainiastike-o-megalyteros-orthodoksos-naos-tou-kosmou-echei-ypsos-120m-kai-chora-6000-pistous/96325/|trans-title=The largest Orthodox Church in the world has been inaugurated|title=Εγκαινιάστηκε ο μεγαλύτερος Ορθόδοξος Ναός του κόσμου|date=26 November 2018|work=Dogma.gr|language=el}}</ref> and [[List of largest Eastern Orthodox church buildings|area]],<ref name="Largest1"/>{{refn|group=note|name=Isaac.Cathedral|[[Saint Isaac's Cathedral]] in [[Saint Petersburg]] although larger in gross area (7,000 m<sup>2</sup> the building including colonnades and 7,600 m<sup>2</sup> with stairway), has a smaller area excluding colonnades (5,000 m<sup>2</sup>). Since 1931 it has been converted into a [[Russian Museum|Russian state museum]].<ref name="St.Isaac.Cathedral"/>}} in the world. The People's Salvation Cathedral will have the largest collection of church mosaics in the world (interior decoration) when it is completed, having about 18,000 square meters, including the mosaic of the altar is about 3,000 square meters.<ref name="CatedralaNationala"/><ref name="MosaicCathedral">{{Cite news|url=https://www.pictamcatedrala.ro/|title=Paint the Cathedral – THE MOSAIC OF THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL (25,000 sqm)|last=|first=|date=26 March 2021|work=Romanian Patriarchate (official website of the mosaic in the National Cathedral)|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="WorldRecordA">{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldrecordacademy.org/world-records/religious/largest-orthodox-iconostasis-romania-s-national-cathedral-sets-world-record-321315|title=World records: Largest Orthodox iconostasis (407 sqm) – Largest mosaic collection in the world (25,000 sqm)|last=|first=|date=3 May 2021|work=World Record Academy (category:Religious World Records – worldrecordacademy.org)|language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/b-o-r-cere-ajutorul-populatiei-pentru-finalizarea-picturii-la-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului.html|title=BOR strânge bani pentru pictarea CMN (25.000 sqm de pereți îmbrăcați în mozaic şi foiță de aur)|last=Hulpe|first=Roxana|date=22 March 2021|work=Ştirile ProTV.ro (interview taken from the Patriarhate)|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The mosaic of the National Cathedral contains glass [[tessera]]e from [[Venice]], and [[Carrara marble|Carrara stone]] from [[Pietrasanta| Pietrasanta, Italy]].<ref name="Orsoni.Venezia"/><ref name="Dona.Murano"/><ref name="Bacci.Marmi"/><ref name="Sector3.ajutor"/> Also the People's Salvation Cathedral has the world's largest Orthodox iconostasis (23.8 meters length and 17.1 meters height) and the world's largest free-swinging church bell.<ref name="WorldRecordA"/><ref name="Orsoni"/><ref name="Köln1"/>

The cathedral is dedicated to the [[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension of Christ]], which in Romania is celebrated as the Heroes' Day, and to [[Andrew the Apostle|Saint Andrew the Apostle]], protector of Romania.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://basilica.deveu.com/ro/stiri/catedrala_mantuirii_neamului_va_purta_hramul_sf_ap_andrei_si_al_inaltarii_domnului.html|title=Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului va purta hramul Sf. Ap. Andrei si al Inaltarii Domnului|last=Agenţia de ştiri|first=Agenţia de ştiri|website=basilica.deveu.com|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205071336/http://basilica.deveu.com/ro/stiri/catedrala_mantuirii_neamului_va_purta_hramul_sf_ap_andrei_si_al_inaltarii_domnului.html|archive-date=5 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/hramul-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului-2/|title=Hramul Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului|date=14 June 2013|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/the-national-cathedral-act-of-consecration/|title=The National Cathedral: Act of consecration|last=Ioniţe|first=Sorin|date=26 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The cathedral was [[Consecrations in Eastern Christianity|consecrated]] on 25 November 2018 by the [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople]] [[Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Bartholomew I]], [[Patriarch Daniel of Romania]] and Metropolitan Chrysostomos ([[:el:Μητροπολίτης Πατρών Χρυσόστομος Σκλήφας|gr]]) of [[Metropolis of Patras|Patras]] from the [[Church of Greece|Greek Orthodox Church]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> On the same day as the consecration, the very first church service of the cathedral took place and was led by both Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Daniel.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/national-cathedral-hah-ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-presides-over-the-divine-liturgy/|title=HAH Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presides over Divine Liturgy at newly-consecrated National Cathedral in Bucharest|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=25 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=29 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> The first patronal feast of the People's Salvation Cathedral was celebrated on 30 November, on the day of [[Andrew the Apostle|'Saint Andrew the First Called']], and the Liturgy was officiated by [[Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem]] and [[Patriarch Daniel of Romania]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/patriarchs-of-jerusalem-romania-concelebrate-divine-liturgy-for-national-cathedral-first-patronal-feast/|title=Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Romania concelebrate Divine Liturgy for National Cathedral first patronal feast|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=30 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/patriarhul-ierusalimului-va-sluji-la-primul-hram-al-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului-ce-moaste-vor-fi-aduse/|title=Patriarhul Ierusalimului va sluji la primul hram al Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului. Ce moaște vor fi aduse|last=Ioniţe|first=Sorin|date=25 August 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The first ''[[Te Deum]]'' of the cathedral was celebrated on 1 December 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/first-te-deum-service-on-romanias-national-day-at-the-peoples-salvation-cathedral/|title=First Te Deum Service on Romania's National Day at the People's Salvation Cathedral|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=1 December 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=2 December 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Cathedral records ==
* is the [[List of largest Eastern Orthodox church buildings|largest]] by volume (323,000 m<sup>3</sup>) and area (6,000 m<sup>2</sup>), the [[List of tallest Eastern Orthodox church buildings|tallest]] (127 m at the moment), [[List of longest church buildings|longest]] (126 m) and heaviest (420,000 tons) [[Eastern Orthodox church architecture|Eastern Orthodox Church]] building in the world. It is also one of the largest church buildings in the world.<ref name="Observatornews" /><ref name="Largest1" /><ref name="TopDome"/><ref name="AV.Weight"/><ref name="Info1"/>
* has the world's tallest [[List of tallest domes|top dome outside]] (121 m) without the [[Roof lantern|lantern]] and cross.<ref name="Peterss1"/><ref name="SirBanister"/><ref name="Basilica.IvoryCoast"/> It has the 2nd tallest [[List of tallest domes|inner dome]] without [[Oculus (architecture)|oculus]] in the world (106 m),<ref name="Pantocrator106"/><ref name="Pantocrator1"/><ref name="Basilica.IvoryCoast"/> and the 3rd [[List of tallest church buildings|tallest]] domed church building in the world (135 m when completed; 127 m at the moment).<ref name="TopDome"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Top 10 Tallest Churches in the World – The Tower Info|url=https://thetowerinfo.com/tallest-churches-in-the-world/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=thetowerinfo.com}}</ref> 
* will have the largest [[mosaic]] collection (interior decoration) in the world when it is completed (18,000 m<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="CatedralaNationala"/>
* has the [[List of highest church naves|tallest]] (44 m inside), widest (25.2 m inside) and longest (78.6 m inside) Eastern Orthodox church [[nave]] in the world. It is the 2nd widest and 8th tallest among all naves in the world (only 2 meters lower than the nave of [[St. Peter's Basilica]], which is the second tallest nave in the world).<ref name="Digi-24"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Nave of St. Peter's|url=http://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/Nave/Nave.htm|access-date=2021-01-30|website=stpetersbasilica.info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-10-29|title=Architecture – MSN Encarta|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578082_6/Architecture.html|access-date=2021-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029171526/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578082_6/Architecture.html|archive-date=29 October 2009}}</ref>
* has the world's largest free-swinging [[church bell]] (25.2 tons).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-04-13|title=Rekord gefallen – Größte freischwingende Glocke der Welt zukünftig nicht mehr in Köln {{!}}|url=https://www.wamsiedler.de/rekord-gefallen-groesste-freischwingende-glocke-der-welt-nicht-mehr-in-koeln/|access-date=2021-01-30|language=de-DE}}</ref>
* has the world's largest [[iconostasis]] (407 m<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="Orsoni" />
* has hosted the largest number of [[Clergy|religious leaders]] (the [[Pope]], the [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch]], the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem|Patriarch of Jerusalem]] and the [[Patriarch]] of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]]) among all church buildings in the world.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" />

== History ==
=== Background ===
The idea of a national cathedral first emerged following the [[Romanian War of Independence]] (1877–1878), which was mainly fought between the [[Russian Empire|Russian]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] Empires. The church was to symbolise the victory of [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]] over the Ottoman [[Muslim]]s. The idea was shelved for lack of consensus on design, location and funding.<ref name="Stan and Turcescu">Stan L. and Turcescu L; ''Religion and Politics in Post-Communist Romania'', pg.56–57; [[Oxford University Press]], 2007; {{ISBN|0-19-530853-0}}.</ref> The Unification of the [[Romanian War of Independence|Romanian Principalities in 1859]], entailed a unitary organisation of church structures in [[Moldavia]] and [[Wallachia]] within the Holy Synod (1872), thus the assembly of hierarchs increased to 12 members, including: the Primate Metropolitan (chairman), the [[Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina|Metropolitan of Moldavia]] and their [[suffragan bishop]]s of Râmnic, Buzău, Argeș, Roman, Huși and Lower Danube (Galați) and one auxiliary vicar-bishop for every diocese.<ref>Constantin Drăguşin; ''Studii Teologice: Legile bisericești ale lui Cuza Vodă şi lupta pentru canonicitate'', nr. 1-2; 1957. - p. 86–103</ref> The old [[Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral|Metropolitan Cathedral]] had proved overcrowded, especially during the national holidays, such as the Proclamation of the [[Kingdom of Romania]] and the crowning of [[King of Romania|King]] [[Carol I of Romania]] (10 May 1881), when none of the over one hundred churches in Bucharest was able to receive those who would have wanted to participate in the official service. Therefore, at King Carol I's desire, [[Palace of the Patriarchate|Romania's Assembly of Deputies]] and the Senate voted in favour of the Law no. 1750 on the construction of the Cathedral Church in Bucharest, promulgated by King Carol I on 5 June 1884.<ref>[[Monitorul Oficial]] (1884). ''No. 49, 6 (18 iunie)''.</ref>

On 10 May 1920, King [[Ferdinand I of Romania|Ferdinand I]] sent a royal letter to [[Archbishop]] [[Patriarch Miron of Romania|Miron Cristea]], the first [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]]-[[Primate (bishop)|Primate]] of [[Greater Romania]], supporting the project, but this had no effect. In 1925, after the Romanian Orthodox Church became an [[Autocephaly|independent]] patriarchate, Metropolitan Cristea now newly enthroned as the first [[Patriarch of All Romania]], suggested [[Carol Park]] as a site, but [[Piața Unirii|Bibescu Vodă Square]] (''Unirii Square'') was chosen instead. There, in 1929, a cross ([[Calvary (sculpture)|calvary]]) was raised. Lack of funds meant the construction was postponed and later forgotten.<ref name="Stan and Turcescu"/>

Patriarch [[Teoctist Arăpașu|Teoctist]] was the one who re-launched the project of building a National Cathedral, in this sense sanctifying a cross on 5 February 1999 as the cornerstone of the future cathedral, in the place of Unirii Square that had previously been sanctified by Patriarch Miron Cristea. Meanwhile, there had been an epochal event, which was the visit by [[Pope John Paul II]] to Romania (7–9 May 1999).<ref name="Romania1"/>

On 16 February 2005, the Bucharest City Hall proposed to the Patriarchate "as the most suitable place to be available" for the structure, which was the [[Dealul Spirii|Arsenal Hill]], considered the highest place in Bucharest. Following the Patriarchate's approval, the [[Government of Romania]] promoted the Ordinance no.19/17 March 2005 for the building of the People's Salvation Cathedral. Then the [[Chamber of Deputies (Romania)|Chamber of Deputies]] voted to give the building site of 110,000 m<sup>2</sup> to Romanian Patriarchate by the protocol of 13 February 2006. The Arsenal Hill was recommended after three other locations were proposed at different stages ([[Piața Unirii]] 1999, Alba Iulia Square 2001, [[Carol Park]] 2004). Three churches were demolished (''Alba Postăvari'', ''Spirea Veche'', and ''Izvorul Tămăduirii''), and two churches had been moved (''[[Schitul Maicilor]]'' and ''[[Mihai Vodă Monastery|Mihai Vodă]]''), by the communist regime to build [[civic centre]] and the [[Palace of the Parliament]], previously known as the House of the People ([[Romanian language|Romanian]]: ''Casa Poporului'').<ref name="Romania1">{{Cite web|url=http://basilica.ro/catedrala-nationala-o-necesitate-liturgica-practica-si-un-simbol-al-cinstirii-eroilor-romani/|title=Catedrala Naţională – O necesitate liturgică practică şi un simbol al cinstirii eroilor români|date=26 November 2018|website=www.basilica.ro|language=ro}}</ref> The cornerstone for the construction of the People's Salvation Cathedral was sanctified on 29 November 2007, being officiated by [[Patriarch Daniel of Romania|Patriarch Daniel]] the sixth Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.<ref name="Romania1"/>

Building began in 2010, and after almost a decade of construction, the cathedral was consecrated on 25 November 2018. The consecration was held in presence of 100 priests including 60 bishops, where the special guests were the [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople]] [[Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Bartholomew I]] and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of [[Patras]].<ref name="Sorin">{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/patriarhul-ecumenic-a-prezidat-prima-liturghie-oficiata-in-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-video/|title=Patriarhul Ecumenic a prezidat prima Liturghie oficiată în Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului {{!}} VIDEO|last=Sorin|first=Ionițe|date=25 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=28 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref> Approximately 55,000 people attended at the Divine Liturgy which took place inside the cathedral just after its consecration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catedralaneamului.ro/index.php/20-actualitatea/comunicate/575-situatia-pelerinilor-care-au-participat-organizat-la-sfintirea-catedralei-nationale-bucuresti-25-noiembrie-2018|title=Situation of the pilgrims who participated in the Sacrament of the National Cathedral (Bucharest, November 25, 2018)|website=catedralaneamului.ro|language=ro}}</ref>

=== Name ===
Metropolitan-primate Miron Cristea proposed the name of the cathedral on 10 May 1920, when spoke in front of the [[List of hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church|Holy Synod]] and King Ferdinand, about building a People's Cathedral meant to celebrate the birth of Greater Romania. "Will prove to be a visible symbol of our unity in faith and law" metropolitan-primate Miron explained, and King Ferdinand took the floor referred to a Church of Redemption, while [[:ro:Pimen Georgescu|Metropolitan Pimen Georgescu]] resorted to another phrasing mentioning People's Redemption Church.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nicolae |first=Ștefan Noica |title= People's Salvation Cathedral - History of an ideal (pg.46-51) |page=184 |publisher=Basilica |year=2011 |isbn=978-606-8141-57-2 |language=ro}}</ref><ref name="Romania1"/><ref>{{cite book |title=Fond Patriarch Miron Cristea (pg.3) |page=61 |publisher= National Archives (www.arhivelenationale.ro) |year=1919 |language=ro}}</ref> The Romanian word "''neam''" is difficult to translate in English, because the term people does not convey properly the sense of unity of blood and lineage that "''neam''" suggests, and it is perhaps better expressed by formulas like ethnic nation or kin. The national identity is a kind of ancestor worship, a system of kinship in which national heroes occupy the place of clan elders in defining a nation as a noble lineage.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Political Lives of Dead Bodies: Reburial and Postsocialist Change |page=204 |last=[[Katherine Verdery]] |publisher=Columbia University Press - New York |date=22 April 1999 |isbn=0-231-11230-0}}</ref> The word "''mântuire''" just like "''neam''" specifically Romanian, is also a complex term. Even though it is commonly translated as salvation, it retains a spiritual nuance that makes redemption a better alternative. Patriarch Daniel explained in 2008 the choice of name at the symposium "New Patriarchal Cathedral", saying: "this name is a manifestation of gratitude or thanksgiving brought to God for the deliverance of the Romanian nation from oppression and alienation".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://basilica.ro/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-spatiu-sacru-si-simbol-national-elemente-majore-de-arhitectura-mistagogica-a-bisericii/ |title=Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului – spațiu sacru și simbol național. |publisher=Basilica.ro |language=ro}}</ref>

=== Feast days ===
The Ascension of God is the first celebration of the day, because it is also the day of the Romanian heroes of all time and of all places, and the second is the celebration of Saint Apostle Andrew the first called, Protector of Romania. Patriarch Daniel said about the first celebration: "The homage to the memory of the Romanian heroes during [[World War I]], who fought for national freedom, unity and dignity, must be today a source of inspiration and renewal for patriotic Romanians. That is why, the main dedication of the People's Salvation Cathedral is the Lord's Ascension when we celebrate the Day of Heroes. Thus, besides the practical necessity of the future National Cathedral, this is also a national spiritual symbol, being dedicated to the worship of those who have sacrificed themselves for the defense of the homeland and the Orthodox ancestral faith and for the freedom of the Romanian people".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://basilica.ro/patriarhul-daniel-indeamna-la-comemorarea-eroilor-neamului/|title=Patriarhul Daniel îndeamnă la comemorarea eroilor neamului|date=28 August 2016|website=www.basilica.ro|language=ro}}</ref> Patriarch Daniel said about the second celebration: "This building will be a symbol of national unity because the feast of Saint Apostle Andrew, which was placed the day before the National Day on [[Union of Transylvania with Romania|1 December]], shows that the national unity has settled with us on the Romanians primarily on spiritual unity, on unity of faith, thought and sentiment. Our church greatly contributed to the development of the [[Romanian language]] and Romanian culture."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://basilica.ro/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-este-un-simbol-al-demnitatii-si-credintei-apostolice-a-poporului-roman/|title=Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului este un simbol al demnității și credinței apostolice a poporului român|date=30 November 2012|website=www.basilica.ro|language=ro}}</ref>

=== Construction ===
[[File:Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului (Beginning 10.12.2010).jpg|thumb|left|People's Salvation Cathedral ''(commencement)'']]

Romanian Patriarchy launched on 28 December 2009 the tender for the selection of the project of the People's Salvation Cathedral. The design proposal should include the feasibility study (SF) and the technical documentation for the construction authorization (DTAC). The delivery term of the documentation accompanied by the proposed model layout was established on 31 May 2010. In June, the Patriarchal Commission for coordination and verification of design works, together with the technical subcommittees for evaluation on architecture, resilience and facilities specialties analyzed the projects presented and determined the scores obtained by the participants. Later, between 30 June and 1 July (2010), the commission of final evaluation of projects under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel met at the [[Dealul Mitropoliei|Patriarchal Palace]]. Vanel Exim based in [[Bacău]] was chosen for the architectural design of the cathredal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zf.ro/companii/proiectul-pentru-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-castigat-de-o-firma-din-bacau-6491996|title=Proiectul pentru Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului, câştigat de o firmă din Bacău|publisher=zf.ro|language=ro|access-date=4 July 2010}}</ref> On 2 September 2010, the building's construction permit was obtained. To begin the cathedral's construction, 24 notices were needed from various state institutions and the city hall of Bucharest.<ref name="istoric1">{{Cite web|url=https://catedrala-nationala.ro/istoric/|title=Istoric|publisher=catedrala-nationala.ro|language=ro|access-date=4 September 2023}}</ref> The works officially started on 15 December 2010, with the breakdown of the axes of the building.<ref name="ZL">{{Cite web|url=https://ziarullumina.ro/amp/un-an-de-lucrari-la-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-369.html|title=Un an de lucrări la Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului|publisher=ziarullumina.ro|language=ro|access-date=29 November 2011}}</ref>

In December 2010 – June 2011, the company Foretis Inject executed the 80-centimeter thick [[Retaining wall|mulled wall]]s of foundation up to 15.8 meters deep (north-south walls), and the company Lufin Construct excavated 90 thousand cubic meters of soil from the foundation. On the higher north–south walls, the [[Anchor plate|anchorage]]s were mounted on three levels, on the shorter east–west walls were mounted two-level anchorages, and the last level of anchorages is located below the [[groundwater]] level. The [[Tie rod|hanger rod]]s have a 75 degree inclination towards the foundation wall, and the fastening was made with the help of 750 [[Tieback (geotechnical)|concrete-drilled anchorages]] by the Italian company CasaGrande.<ref name="AV.2010-2013">{{cite AV media |title=The building site of the People's Salvation Cathedral: 2010 – 2013 |last=time 62 minutes |date=2016 |publisher=Trinitas – television of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian Patriarchate]] |type=DVD |lang=ro}}</ref><ref name="ZL"/>

[[File:Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului - Naos cota zero (Aprilie 2013).jpg|thumb|Construction in 2013]]

On 28 June 2011, the contract with Bog'Art company for the construction of the building's foundation was concluded.<ref name="istoric1"/> In July 2011 – April 2013, the cathedral was built up to the nave floor of 6.8 meters from the ground. The [[deep foundation]] is a 120-meter-long monoblock structure, composed of a network of concrete [[Beam and block|beam]]s and was imposed to avoid sliding the foundation to earthquakes. The foundation was built between December 2011 - June 2012 and the basement until April 2013. The main building of the cathedral is designed as a structure independent from the walls surrounding foundation, moving like a piston in a cylinder. Around the foundation between the lead tank and mulled walls, an 8-centimeter insulation of expanded polystyrene is arranged, which allows the cathedral's movement in all parts to the earthquake.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://basilica.ro/lucrari-la-radierul-casetat-al-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului/ |title=Lucrări la radierul casetat al Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului |publisher=Basilica |website=www. basilica.ro |date=2012-04-05 |language=ro}}</ref><ref name="AV.2010-2013" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agendaconstructiilor.ro/files/antreprenori-dezvoltatori/bog-art-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-intra-intr-o-noua-etapa-de-executie.html|title=BOG'ART: Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului intra intr-o noua etapa de executie|publisher=agendaconstructiilor.ro|language=ro|access-date=18 June 2013}}</ref>

For the [[waterproofing]] of the cathedral, Bog'Art engineering team together with Swiss engineer Franco Sticher conducted many tests over three months in Romania and Switzerland. Were tested the [[bitumen]] foil, [[bentonite]] foil, [[polyurethane]] foil and lead foil. Due to the corrosion indestructibility, the whole foundation of cathedral was dressed in a [[lead]] tank. In November–December 2011, over 120 welders welded 10 thousand square meters lead foils. About 400 tons of lead were used horizontally (4&nbsp;mm thick) and vertically (3&nbsp;mm thick) in the cathedral's foundation. Lead has a high plastic deformation capacity without breaking, required quality under conditions of the building massiveness. It is used in high-voltage power cables as shell material and as a protective sheath for underground or underwater cables, to prevent water diffusion into insulation.<ref name="AV.2010-2013" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Jensen |first=C. F. |title=Online Location of Faults on AC Cables in Underground Transmission |year=2013 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-05397-4}}</ref>

[[File:Romanian People's Salvation Cathedral Bucharest.jpg|thumb|left|Construction in 2016]]

On 22 July 2013, the contract was concluded with the Austrian company [[Strabag]] for the construction of the building's superstructure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://agendaconstructiilor.ro/files/antreprenori-dezvoltatori/catedrala-nou-constructor-desemnat-pentru-executia-suprastructurii.html|title=STRABAG este noul constructor al suprastructurii Catedralei Mantuirii Neamului|publisher=agendaconstructiilor.ro|language=ro|access-date=29 July 2013}}</ref> In June 2015, the height of the structure was raised by more than half. To the achievement of vaults, the upper part of nave and dome for not putting pressure on the nave's floor, a metal [[scaffolding]] structure weighing 1100 tons was installed in the form of trapezium with base at 27 meters and gradually raised up to 45 meters.<ref name="AV.2013-2018" />

[[File:Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului (Iulie 2019).jpg|thumb|upright|Construction in 2019]]

For the People's Salvation Cathedral were used 145 thousand cubic meters of [[reinforced concrete|heavy concrete]], about 40 thousand tons of reinforcement and 22 thousand tons of bricks, bringing the weight of the cathedral to about 420 thousand tons, over the weight of Saint Isaac's cathedral of 322 thousand tons, and at the same time it is the heaviest [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] building.<ref name="Info1">{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/catedrala-nationala-de-o-valoare-inestimabila-nu-este-un-proiect-scump-info/ |title=National Cathedral – data and video |last=Sorin |first=Ionițe |date=8 October 2021 |work=Basilica.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="AV.Weight">{{cite AV media |title=The building site of the People's Salvation Cathedral: 2010 – 2013 [Is specified (time 35:49↔35:53) the total projected weight (concrete, steel reinforcement and bricks) of about 425.3 thousand tons of the cathedral including the basement, and excluding the pedestal.] |last=time 62 minutes |date=2016 |publisher=Trinitas – television of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian Patriarchate]] |type=DVD |lang=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://stirileprotv.ro/cultura/cifrele-gigantice-ale-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului-120-de-metri-inaltime-600-de-ferestre-100-000-mc-de-beton.html |title= The huge of the cathedral's data – so far, over 100 thousand cubic meters of concrete, over 40 thousand tons of reinforcement and 8 thousand cubic meters of cement have been used. |work=PRO TV.ro |date=17 October 2017 |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="AV.Weight1">{{cite AV media |title=National Cathedral: 2013 – 2018 [(time 24:21↔24:33) were used 14 thousand cubic meters of bricks, representing 22 thousand tons] |last=time 55 minutes |date=2019 |publisher=Trinitas – television of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian Patriarchate]] |type=DVD |lang=ro}}</ref><ref name="St.Isaac.Cathedral">{{Cite journal |url=https://www.geocasehistoriesjournal.org/pub/article/download/IJGCH_4_2_3/pdf_22 |title= St. Isaac Cathedral (St. Petersburg, Russia): A Case History [pg.3 - total area of 7,600 m<sup>2</sup> and total weight including the basement of 3155 MN (321.7 thousand tons)] |journal=International Journal of Geoengineering Case Histories (IJGCH) |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=113–133 |last1= Anna |first1= Shidlovskaya |last2= Jean-Louis |first2= Briaud |last3=Mehdi |first3=Mohammadrajabi |publisher=[[International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering]] (ISSMGE) |date=2017-11-03 |doi=10.4417/IJGCH-04-02-03}}</ref> For the People's Salvation Cathedral was used about 12% of the quantity of concrete and steel used in the Palace of Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cic.cdep.ro/en/general-presentation/palace-of-parliament-the-building |title=Palace of Parliament - The building was built with: 1,000,000 cbm of marble; 550,000 tons of cement; 700,000 tons of steel; 2,000,000 tons of sand; 1,000 tons of basalt; 900,000 cbm rich wood; 3,500 tons of crystal; 200,000 cbm of glass; 2,800 chandeliers; 220,000 sqm carpets; 3,500 sqm leather. |publisher=[[Government of Romania]] - Chamber of Deputies |website=www.cic.cdep.ro}}</ref> The concrete used (C40/50) for the People's Salvation Cathedral is same concrete used for the [[Vidraru Dam]], which showed its resistance to the [[1977 Vrancea earthquake|1977 earthquake]] without any crack. The thickest [[rebar]] used in reinforced cement concrete (RCC) is BTS500-S of 32 millimeters diameter.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://basilica.ro/structura-de-rezistenta-a-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului-va-fi-finalizata-pana-in-iunie-2017/ |title= Structura de rezistență a Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului - clasa betonului utilizat este C40/50, iar barele din oțel sunt BST 500 S |publisher=Basilica |website=www.basilica.ro |date=2015-05-08 |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hidroelectrica.ro/article/c28f82bc-66d7-4dc8-1808-46838be74975 |title=Centrala Hidroelectrică Vidraru - pentru realizarea barajului s-au utilizat 480,000 mcb de beton nearmat, impermeabil, marca B600 (C40/50). |publisher=Hidroelectrica |website=www.hidroelectrica.ro |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ziarullumina.ro/actualitate-religioasa/stiri/radierul-casetat-distribuie-uniform-sarcina-catedralei-71686.html |title= Fier betonul care se montează are o grosime de 32 mm şi este foarte greu de manevrat |publisher= Ziarul Lumina |website=www.ziarullumina.ro |date=2012-03-05 |language=ro}}</ref>

Were used 6,200 cubic meters of solid bricks produced at [[Câmpulung Muscel]] and 7,800 cubic meters hollow bricks produced at [[Târgu Jiu]].<ref name="AV.Weight1"/> For solid bricks, was used [[clay]] from the Grui hill near Câmpulung Muscel. The bricks used are absorbent, so that with the application of the first layer of plaster, due to the brick's porosity there is adhesion between the mortar layer and brick. When the bricks are hit they make a glass sound. The cathedral wall from outside to inside has the following structure: hollow bricks, flexible reinforcements (steel bars), rigid metal structure (welded sheets metal reinforcement), flexible reinforcements and solid bricks.<ref name="AV.2013-2018" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.evenimentulmuscelean.ro/index.php/actualitate/12975-caramizile-pentru-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-cumparate-de-la-ceramus|title=Cărămizile pentru Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului, cumpărate de la firma Ceramus|date=2013-11-09|work=Evenimentulmuscelean.ro|language=ro}}</ref>

[[File:Paraclisul Catedralei Mantuirii Neamului.jpg|thumb|Chapel]]

Energy efficiency is assured by massive walls of resistance and [[brick]] used on the inside and outside of them. The cathedral is designed to withstand earthquakes of 9 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/cel-mai-sigur-loc-din-romania-in-caz-de-cutremur-major-1037981|title=Cel mai sigur loc din România în caz de cutremur major (9 grade Richter)|date=25 November 2018|website=www.digi24.ro|language=ro}}</ref> The cathedral should receive its final touch, the paintwork, by 2025 according to the Romanian Orthodox Church.<ref name="Mosaic1"/> The chapel of the cathedral was built in 2011, exclusively from sponsorships. In this chapel, there are liturgical services for the good works of the People's Salvation Cathedral, for the workers, but also for the founders and donors. In the chapel is a copy of the Icon Theotokos Acheiropoieta (''Prodromiţa'') from the [[Prodromos (Mount Athos)|Romanian Skete Prodromos]] in [[Mount Athos]]. Also, here is the reliquary with the relics of [[John Chrysostom|Saint John Chrysostom]], the 37th [[List of Ecumenical Patriarchs of Constantinople|archbishop of Constantinople]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.catedralaneamului.ro/index.php/paraclisul-catedralei|title=Paraclisul Catedralei|work=Patriarhia Română|language=ro}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
=== Design and mosaic ===
{{multiple image
 | align             = left
 | caption_align     = center
 | image1            = People's Salvation Cathedral (plan - footprint).jpg
 | caption1          = Plan (footprint)
 | width1            = 100
 | image2            = Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului, București (profil față - înălțime).jpg
 | caption2          = Plan (front)
 | width2            = 126
}}
The design of the new cathedral was debated by parties including the [[Senate of Romania|Romanian Senate]] and the [[Mayor of Bucharest]]. The winning design featured elements of architectural details from all the Romanian provinces and territories in an area that would make the cathedral complex one of the largest religious sites in the world. The cathedral is projected for over 20,000 people in the main cathedral building and underground galleries. A total of 7,000 worshipers can attend the holy liturgy at the same time, with a 1,000 member choir, clergy and 6,000 pilgrims in the main cathedral building. The underground chapel could accommodate 5,000 pilgrims, and the underground St. Andrew's Cave gallery could accommodate over 10,000 pilgrims.<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei">{{Cite web |url=https://basilica.ro/patriarhul-anunta-destinatia-unui-spatiu-subteran-al-catedralei-nationale-pestera-citadina-a-sfantului-andrei/ |title=Patriarhul anunță destinația unui spațiu subteran al Catedralei Naționale: Peștera citadină a Sf. Andrei |publisher=Romanian Patriarhate (Basilica.ro) |language=ro}}</ref> In the whole complex could accommodate 125,000 visitors on an area of 11 hectares, and in the piazza could accommodate 43,000 visitors.<ref name="Info1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catedralaneamului.ro/articole/guvernul-romaniei--ordonanta-de-urgenta-19-din-17-martie-2005-oug-192005-privind-realizarea-ansamblului-arhitectural-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-28|title=Guvernul României / Ordonanţa de urgenţă 19 din 17 martie 2005 (OUG 19/2005) privind realizarea Ansamblului Arhitectural Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului|date=23 August 2010|website=catedralaneamului.ro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823235403/http://www.catedralaneamului.ro/articole/guvernul-romaniei--ordonanta-de-urgenta-19-din-17-martie-2005-oug-192005-privind-realizarea-ansamblului-arhitectural-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-28|archive-date=23 August 2010|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref> The main cathedral has 6,050 square meters (floor nave) and with stairway has 8,400 square meters.<ref name="Largest1"/><ref name="Felbermayr"/> The plan of cathedral is {{convert|126|m|ft}} length, {{convert|68|m|ft}} width, and {{convert|135|m|ft}} (ground level) height. The main building is elevated {{convert|6.8|m|ft}} with the basement area extending to {{convert|15.8|m|ft}} below ground level. The basement area which extending below the ground level, has 7,200 square meters.<ref>[http://ziarullumina.ro/sites/default/files/styles/img_880x550switcher/public/articol/2013-12/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-2.jpg "Săli polivalente în subsolul Catedralei Neamului, de aceeaşi mărime cu biserica de deasupra"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428034001/http://ziarullumina.ro/sites/default/files/styles/img_880x550switcher/public/articol/2013-12/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-2.jpg |date=28 April 2014 }} Gândul.Info</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://adevarul.ro/news/societate/spunesituro-romania-top-10-celor-mai-mari-edificii-cult-lume-mantuieste-catedrala-mantuirii-neamuluim-1_50ad3c4d7c42d5a663914285/index.html|title=Spunesitu.ro: România în top 10 al celor mai mari edificii de cult din lume. Pe cine mântuieşte Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului?|date=2 August 2011|work=adevarul.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=en}}</ref> The volume of the cathedral is 323 thousand cubic meters, with the basement 479 thousand cubic meters and with the pedestal 508 thousand cubic meters.<ref name="Observatornews"/><ref name="CatedralaNationala"/> The cathedral together with the underground gallery Saint Andrew have 595 thousand cubic meters.<ref name="Info1" />

Along with the Palace of Parliament, the Romanian Academy, the Ministry of National Defense, the cathedral can be seen as a vertical axis or a unifying pole for these buildings in a unitary and representative urban ensemble. Also, the cathedral located on [[Dealul Spirii|Spirea's Hill]] (Arsenal Square) near the Ministry of National Defense, can be considered the Cathedral of Romanian heroes of all times, who sacrificed themselves for the defense of the homeland.<ref name="Catedrala.Date" />

[[File:People's Salvation Cathedral - Days of Consecration 10.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|Iconostasis]]

In January 2018, the Patriarchate requested portfolios with mosaics made by painters from all over Romania, throughout their careers, the winner will make the mosaic of the National Cathedral. The iconographer [[Daniel Codrescu]] won, and together with his team he started working in February. The team has about 60 people, most are top specialists in iconography and mosaic art, and a few apprentice students. They work in the workshop and on the construction site. After the iconographic scenes are made, painted, and chosen the model of the [[tessera]]e by Daniel Codrescu, the drawings are sent to the Romanian Patriarchate for approval, then part of the team makes the mosaic with millions of tesserae according to the drawings, and finally the rest of the team assembles the mosaic on wall.<ref name="Mosaic1">{{Cite news |url=https://ziarullumina.ro/societate/reportaj/un-mozaic-pentru-istoria-bisericii-si-a-romaniei-161388.html |title=Un mozaic pentru istoria Bisericii și a României |last=Tudor Călin |first=Zarojanu |date=22 March 2021 |work=Ziarullumina.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref>

According to the iconographic plan, the mosaics of the cathedral show the historical basis of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Church]], thus the iconography of the cathedral includes: the [[Christianity in the 1st century|Church of the Apostolic Age]] rendered by the representation of the [[twelve Apostles]], the [[Patristics|Church of the Patristic Age]] of the holy fathers from the Greek, Syriac, Latin and [[Church Slavonic|Slavic Churches]], and the Romanian Orthodox Church old and contemporary. In addition to the saints from the universal church, on the walls of the cathedral will be represented the great saints of the Romanian nation. Also, certain spaces inside the cathedral will be dedicated to the [[Confessor|confessors saints]] from the [[Re-education in Communist Romania|Romanian communist prisons]], such as the priests [[Dumitru Stăniloae|Stăniloae]], [[:ro:Sofian Boghiu|Sofian]], [[Cleopa Ilie|Cleopa]], Partenie Gherasim and others.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pictamcatedrala.ro/concepticonografic|title=ICOANA, SIMBOL AL ÎNTÂLNIRII OMULUI CU DUMNEZEU|date=27 March 2021|work=Romanian Patriarchate (official website of the mosaic in the National Cathedral)|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The mosaic of the cathedral is made according to the [[Hesychasm|hesychastic]] tradition  and in the [[Byzantine Revival architecture|Neo-Byzantine]] style. The architecture of the cathedral is a synthesis between tradition and contemporaneity, through national architectural elements such as [[Brâncovenesc style|Brâncovenesc]] porches, [[Transylvania]]n towers and [[Moldavian style|Moldavian]] [[Niche (architecture)|niches]] ({{langx|ro|ocnițe}}).<ref name="Catedrala.Date">{{Cite web |url=https://basilica.ro/o-catedrala-pentru-capitala-date-corecte-si-semnificative/ |title=O Catedrală pentru Capitală. Date corecte şi semnificative |last=Nicolae|first=Robert |date=10 May 2016 |website=Basilica.ro |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basilica.ro/en/archangel-gabriel-mosaic-icon-installed-on-walls-of-bucharest-national-cathedral-photos/|title=Icon installed on walls of Bucharest National Cathedral|last=Aurelian|first=Iftimiud|date=14 September 2019|website=Basilica.ro}}</ref>

For the mosaic of the People's Salvation Cathedral, is mainly used glass made in [[Venice]] and [[Carrara marble|Carrara stone]].<ref name="Sector3.ajutor">{{Cite news |url=https://www.primarie3.ro/images/uploads/consiliu_local/HCLS3_nr._628_din_19_.12.2023.pdf |title=Acordarea unui sprijin financiar Patriarhiei Române (materiale) |publisher=Primărie Sector 3, București |website=www.primarie3.ro}}</ref> The [[Venetian glass|Murano glass]] is processed by the Venetian foundries Orsoni and Mosaici Donà Murano.<ref name="Dona.Murano">{{Cite news |url=https://www.mosaicidonamurano.com/ |title=Mosaici Donà Murano |publisher=Mosaici Donà Murano |website=www.mosaicidonamurano.com}}</ref> The Orsoni foundry produce [[Fineness|24K]] [[gold]] leaf mosaics, [[Colored gold|blown gold]] and [[Venetian glass|Venetian smalti]] in more than 3,500 colors. The smalti Orsoni was used in the decoration of the [[St Mark's Basilica|St.Mark's Basilica]], [[Sagrada Família|Sagrada Familia]], or [[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception|Washington Basilica]].<ref name="Orsoni.Venezia">{{Cite news |url=https://www.orsoni.com/ |title=Orsoni Venezia 1888 |publisher=Orsoni Venezia 1888 |website=www.orsoni.com}}</ref> The Carrara stone was used in many sculptures of the [[Renaissance]], such as [[Michelangelo]]'s [[Pietà (Michelangelo)|''Pietà'']],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://michelangelo.ace.fordham.edu/exhibits/show/vatican-pieta/vatican-pieta-history|title=The History · The Vatican Pietà · Fordham Art History|website=michelangelo.ace.fordham.edu|access-date=2019-09-03}}</ref> and in the mosaic technique. The [[gold glass]] was chosen after the glass used at St.Mark's Basilica, being lighter in color. Murano glass from Orsoni Venezia was used to restore the St.Mark's Basilica, the same company that supply the glass to the People's Salvation Cathedral.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pictamcatedrala.ro/media-noutati|title=Talen și Efort. Daniel Codrescu – arta mozaicului|date=26 September 2020|website=Romanian Patriarchate (pictamcatedrala.ro)}}</ref>

[[File:Fragment de mozaic a Bunei Vestiri (Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului).jpg|thumb|Annunciation]]

The [[tessera]]e are made of colored glass. The gold glass, on the side from the wall they are green-blue, to better reflect the light on the golden side, from the viewer. First, the figures were drawn and then painted "in the mirror" on a paper support and over them was mounted the mosaic, with the gold layer facing inside, towards the painted support. After applying the mosaic painting on the wall and cleaning the paper support on which it had been mirror-mounted, the mosaic remains mounted with the golden part of the tesserae towards the onlooker.<ref name="SfintiiCatedralei"/> For soldering is used a natural glue, made of water and flour, which after fixing on the wall, will be easy to soak and wash with the paper on which it was glued. In Byzantium, lime mixed with sand was used, which dried quickly, which did not allow very detailed finishes.<ref name="mosaic1">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/mozaicul-catedralei-nationale-parcurs-spiritual-pentru-lucratori-necesita-punerea-intr-o-stare-de-sacrificiu/|title=Mozaicul Catedralei Naționale, parcurs spiritual pentru lucrători|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=26 May 2022|work=Basilica.ro}}</ref> Making a square meter are used approximately 16&nbsp;kg of mosaic involves joining about 10,000 tesserae, applied with a special cement-based adhesive, working 4–7 days to arrange them according to the difficulty and size of the pixelization.<ref name="mosaic1"/> For the People's Salvation Cathedral will require about 400 tons of tesserae, covering an area of 25,000 square meters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pictamcatedrala.ro/tehnicamateriale|title=TEHNICA ȘI MATERIALELE FOLOSITE|date=27 March 2021|website=Romanian Patriarchate (pictamcatedrala.ro)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pictamcatedrala.ro/atelierul|title=Mozaicul Catedralei Naționale|date=27 March 2021|website=Romanian Patriarchate (pictamcatedrala.ro)}}</ref><ref name="WorldRecordA"/>

=== Nave ===
{{multiple image
| total_width = 250
| align = left
| footer_align = center
| footer = Nave and the secondary cupola
| image1 = Naosul CMN - București (2020).jpg
| image2 = Cupola secundară a Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului (București).jpg
}}
The [[Vault (architecture)|vaulted]] nave reaches an interior height of 44 meters,<ref name="Digi-24"/> being the Orthodox church with the [[List of highest church naves|highest interior nave]] and among the highest in the world. With a nave width of 25.2 meters,<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/> People's Salvation Cathedral is the church building with the second-widest nave in the world after [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Vatican City (27 m).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/Nave/Nave.htm |title=The Nave of St. Peter's |website=stpetersbasilica.info |access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> [[Hagia Sophia]] in [[Istanbul]] has bigger span (31 m), but it has not a nave in the strict sense. By comparison, the nave of the People's Salvation Cathedral has about 2,650 square meters with 78.6 meters (colonnade - iconostasis) by 65.1 meters ([[transept]]s), and the main hall of the Hagia Sophia has about 2,400 square meters with 78.1 meters (250 [[Byzantine units of measurement|Byzantine foot]] - without altar) by 37.5 meters (120 Byzantine foot - transepts).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/abt7723.0001.001/260 |last=[[Banister Fletcher (junior)|Sir Banister]] |first=Fletcher |title= A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method (pg.224) |publisher= [[University of Michigan]] Library Digital Collections |website=www.lib.umich.edu |date=1924}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title= Buildings across Time: An Introduction to World Architecture (2nd Edition) / (quote): "Its 107-foot-diameter central dome, suported on pendentives, rises 180 foot above the floor and is flanked by two lower semidomes of the same diameter, a clear span of nearly 250 foot." |pages=149–152; 156 |last1=Marian |first1=Moffett |last2= Michael |first2= Fazio |last3=Lawrence |first3=Wodehouse |publisher=McGraw-Hill Companies |date=2004 |isbn=0-7674-0511-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://lisa.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/die_hagia_sophia_justinians_mathematischer_raum_als_buehne_des_kaisers?nav_id=3486 |title=Die Hagia Sophia Justinians – Mathematischer Raum als Bühne des Kaisers // The nave is 239 ft inside excluding altar, and outside the walls about 250 ft |last1=Helge |first1=Svenshon |last2=Rudolf |first2=Stichel |last3=Oliver |first3=Hauck |last4=Andreas |first4=Noback |publisher=Gerda Henkel Stiftung |website=www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de |date=2012 |language=German}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name=Byzantine.foot|Certain sources vary, some indicating 250 ft inside, others indicating 250 ft with the walls outside (4-5 ft wall thickness). Byzantine foot derived from the ancient Greek foot ([[pous]]), the standard foot length in Byzantium seems to have been 0.3123&nbsp;m, but in practice the length fluctuated between 0.308 and 0.320&nbsp;m.<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Alexander |editor-last=Kazhdan |editor-link=Alexander Kazhdan |title =[[The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium]] |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1991 |isbn=978-0-19-504652-6}}</ref>}} If the main cathedral door and the iconostasis door are opened, visually between a person from entrance (colonnade) and the middle of the altar table are 106 meters, and if it is in the nave's middle (under the main dome), from the floor it sees the dome ceiling (Pantocrator) also at 106 meters.<ref name="Pantocrator106"/><ref name="Pantocrator1"/>

[[File:Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului - Scările (2020).jpg|thumb|Rușchița marble]]

The floor of the cathedral will be covered with [[Rușchița marble|marble from Rușchița]], the best marble in Romania.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.antena3.ro/actualitate/el-e-milionarul-care-s-a-pus-bine-cu-dumnezeu-marmura-lui-adriean-videanu-in-catedrala-mantuirii-498557.html|title=Marble used for the People's Salvation Cathedral|date=8 December 2018|work=Antena3.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> This marble has been used for many famous buildings: [[Palace of the Parliament|Romanian Parliament Building]], [[Milan Cathedral]], [[Hungarian Parliament Building]], [[Istana Nurul Iman]] etc. The eagle in the [[Oval Office]] at the [[White House]], one of the American symbols, is white Rușchița marble.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.banatulazi.ro/una-dintre-cele-mai-celebre-cladiri-ale-lumii-restaurata-cu-marmura-din-banat/|title=Marmura din Banat|date=21 August 2017|work=Banatulazi.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> Rușchița is the most renowned marble deposit in Romania. The quarry is located in [[Caraș-Severin County]], south of the [[Poiana Ruscă Mountains]]. The marble from Rușchița is subsequently processed at [[Simeria]], where the final product is made.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.marmosim.ro/ro/|title=Carieta de marmură Rușchița|work=Marmosim.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The marble models used mainly for the cathedral are Rușchița Classico and Rușchița Champagne. The Rușchița Classico has a white-yellow color, and the Rușchița Champagne has a white-pinkish color.<ref name="Ruschita">{{cite web|url=http://www.marmosim.ro/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/catalog_en.pdf|title=Marble quarry Rușchița|publisher=Marmosim|website=Marmosim.ro|access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="AV.2013-2018" /> Inside the cathedral is used Rușchița marble up to 4 meters height, and the marble for the access steps of the cathedral has 7&nbsp;cm thickness.<ref name="Cathedral1"/>

[[File:Southern Apse - People's Salvation Cathedral.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Stone frames by Vratsa]]

[[Vratsa|Vratsa marble]] from [[Bulgaria]], it is used outside the cathedral up to 7 meters height. Vratsa stone for its hardness is used for window-door frames.<ref name="Cathedral1"/> For the interior decorations in the nave and altar [[Carrara marble]] is used.<ref name="Bacci.Marmi">{{Cite news |url=https://www.marmibacci.com/ |title=Marmi Bacci S.R.L |publisher=Marmi Bacci |website=www.marmibacci.com}}</ref><ref name="Sector3.ajutor"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/themakingof-mozaicul-catedralei-nationale-apropie-romanii-de-dumnezeu-si-ii-uneste-intre-ei/|title=Mozaicul Catedralei Naționale apropie românii de Dumnezeu și îi unește între ei|last=Totorcea|first=Ștefana|date=26 January 2021|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> It is [[Quarry|quarried]] from the [[Apuan Alps|Apuan Alps mountains]], near the city of [[Pietrasanta|Pietrasanta, Italy]].<ref name="Bacci.Marmi"/> Carrara marble is a type of [[marble]] popular for use in building decor. The marble from Carrara was used for some of the most remarkable buildings in [[Ancient Rome]],<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.coursera.org/learn/roman-architecture/lecture/YMhw1/9-3-the-ascent-of-augustus-and-access-to-italian-marble|title=The Ascent of Augustus and Access to Italian Marble|publisher=Yale University|people=Diana E. E. Kleiner|medium=Multimedia presentation}}</ref> such as [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]], and other notable construction such as [[Siena Cathedral]], [[Legislative Palace of Uruguay]], [[Glasgow City Chambers]], [[Finlandia Hall]] and the  [[Swaminarayan Akshardham (New Delhi)|Akshardham (New Delhi)]].

The National Cathedral has 27 bronze doors with iconographic representations. The four-ton bronze doors are 2 meters width with 6.35 meters height at the arch.<ref name="TVR1"/> These are coordinated by a computer system that command the automatic opening of the doors in case of alarm. The doors were made at [[Süßen]] by Strassacker. The same company also made the bronze crosses on the towers. Initially, six companies from [[Austria]] and six companies from [[Germany]] were contacted and finally the company from Süßen was chosen. The bas-reliefs of the saints are life-size.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/en/who-are-the-holy-guardians-of-the-romanian-peoples-salvation-cathedral/|title=Who are the Holy Guardians of the Romanian People's Salvation Cathedral?|last=Aurelian|first=Iftimiu|date=25 May 2019|work=Basilica.ro}}</ref><ref name="AV.2013-2018" /> Over 50 saints are represented on the doors of the cathedral. At the entrance on the main doors is the Mother of God and the Savior Jesus Christ. On the doors are represented martyrs, hierarchs, including over twenty Romanian saints. In 2017, Patriarch Daniel said that, the cathedral belongs to all Romanian saints, from all parts of the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/care-sunt-sfintii-strajeri-ai-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului/|title=Sfinții de pe ușile Catedralei Mântuirii neamului|last=Iulian|first=Dumitrașcu|date=25 May 2019|work=Basilica.ro}}</ref>

The People's Salvation Cathedral has 396 windows and the largest window is the [[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension of Christ]] stained-glass from entrance (90 sqm) that cost 200 thousand euros.<ref name="Info1"/> The frameworks of the [[Galvanization|galvanized]] arched windows with stainless steel clamping systems were made in Belgium by [[Reynaers Aluminium|Reynaers]] company and electrochemically treated by [[anodizing]]. The double secured [[Insulated glazing|glazing]] of 6 millimeters each were made in [[Ploiești]] by Valras Prod. The galvanized frameworks have two sets of windows, the secured ones and the stained-glass windows.<ref name="Info1"/><ref name="AV.2013-2018">{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZlew3lhE4&list=PLL48WQDy5blB5d1-2JEaZrMkhhUhPdzMJ&index=41&t=895s&ab_channel=TRINITASTV |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/sMZlew3lhE4 | archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live |title= Catedrala Națională – Noua catedrală patriarhală |trans-title=National Cathedral – The new patriarchal cathedral |last=time 55 minutes |date=2019-10-04 |publisher=Trinitas TV (Patriarchate of Romania) |type=DVD |language=ro}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==== Transepts and vaults ====
[[File:Nașterea Domnului - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului.jpg|thumb|left|Southern apse]]

In 2022 the [[Nativity of Jesus]] scene having 178 square meters was completed in the southern apse, and in February 2024 the apse and arch were completed.<ref name="4ani"/><ref name="Pantocrator1"/> The south apse's registries below the [[conch]] are four in number. The two upper registers of the hemicycle are related to the family theme, among which: [[Visitation (Christianity)|the Visitation]], [[Adoration of the Magi|Adoration of the magi]], [[Saint Joseph's dreams|Joseph's dream]], [[flight into Egypt]], [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple|presentation of Jesus at the temple]], [[Teaching of Jesus about little children|Jesus blessing the children]], [[wedding at Cana]], [[census of Quirinius]] and others.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/mozaicul-finalizat-la-catedrala-nationala-insumeaza-4-000-de-metri-patrati-se-lucreaza-la-absida-sudica/|title=Echipa de pictori specialiști în tehnica mozaicului lucrează la Absida Sudică a Catedralei Naționale|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=7 April 2022 |work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The two lower registers of the hemicycle contain saints and Romanian rulers (ro:[[Domnitor|domn]]i). The south apse's arch contains three registers: [[Christian martyr]]s (below), [[Finding in the Temple|Jesus at the age of twelve in the temple]] (middle) and the [[tree of Jesse]] (upper).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/lucrarile-in-desfasurare-de-la-catedrala-nationala-vor-facilita-accesul-la-paraclisul-de-sub-esplanada/ |title=Odată cu finalizarea scenei Arborele lui Iesei, absida sudică va fi completă și eliberată de schele |last=Iulian |first=Dumitrașcu |publisher=Basilica |website=www.basilica.ro |date=2023-08-01 |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="Pantocrator1"/>

{{multiple image
| total_width = 350
| align = right
| footer_align = center
| footer = The altar and triumphal arch
| image1 = Altarul și Arcul Triumfal - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului, București.jpg
| image2 = Tronul Hetimasiei - Arcul Triumfal (CMN).jpg
}}
The vaulted nave on which the dome rests reaches an interior height of 40.35 meters.<ref name="sclipirea1">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/mozaicul-catedralei-nationale-parcurs-spiritual-pentru-lucratori-necesita-punerea-intr-o-stare-de-sacrificiu/|title=Mozaicul Catedralei Naționale: Sclipirea care dă viață penumbrei|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=26 May 2022|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The "triumphal" vault between the altar and nave includes the iconographic representation of [[Twelve Minor Prophets|twelve Old Testament Prophets]], the venerable Melchizedek, along with the throne of [[Hetoimasia]] and the representation of the heavenly powers: [[Cherub]]im, [[Seraph]]im and [[Angel]]s. The prophets shown in medallions of 1.8 meters, hold in their hands symbolic representations, anticipating Theotokos and the foreshadowing of the [[Incarnation (Christianity)|incarnation]] of the Lord Jesus Christ.<ref name="4ani">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/4-ani-de-la-sfintirea-catedralei-nationale-icoana-nasterii-domnului-vizibila-integral-inainte-de-craciun/|title=4 ani de la sfințirea Catedralei Naționale|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=25 November 2022|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The main mosaic of the "triumphal" vault is [[Hetoimasia]] (gr:ἑτοιμασία), also known as the throne of the [[Last Judgment]] or the Second Coming. The scene contains: the dove of the [[Holy Spirit]], the [[Holy Lance|spear]] and sponge on a stick, the nails from the cross and crown of thorns. An empty throne with a [[Gospel Book]] on it, was being placed in the chamber of church councils to represent Christ, at the [[Council of Ephesus|First Council of Ephesus]] in 431. The scene is inspired by the painted church exterior at [[Voroneţ Monastery|Voroneţ Monastery in Romania]] (1547).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/patriarhul-romaniei-frumusetea-eterna-a-voronetului-mesajul-central-al-judecatii-de-apoi/|title=Patriarhul României: Frumuseţea eternă a Voroneţului: Mesajul central al Judecăţii de Apoi|last=Sorin|first=Ionițe|date=6 April 2021|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://doxologia.ro/iconografie/judecata-de-apoi-surprinsa-detaliu-la-manastirea-voronet|title=Mănăstirea Voroneț: Judecata de Apoi - imaginea intitulată "Hetimasia Tronului"  |last=Cătălin|first=Acasandrei|work=Doxologia.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/foto-catedrala-nationala-la-exterior-este-tot-mai-vizibil-aspectul-final/|title=Catedrala Națională: Interior - "Tronul Hetimasiei" |last=Sorin|first=Ionițe|date=12 August 2022 |work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> On the mosaic Hetoimasia's edge is written (gr-Ps:88; en-[[Psalm 89|Ps:89]]) "Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before Thy face".

=== Dome and roof===
==== Exterior (including towers) ====
{{multiple image
| total_width = 350
| align = left
| footer_align = center
| footer = Dome, towers, and bell tower. The windows framework is [[Vratsa]] stone, decorated in [[Brâncovenesc art]].
| image1 = Domul - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului (București).jpg
| image2 = Turnuri - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului (București).jpg
}}
The dominant feature is the huge [[Elongated cupola|elongated]] [[dome]], which will have a total height of 135 meters (ground-top cross),<ref name="BucharestMunicipality"/> and will become the third [[List of tallest church buildings|tallest]] domed church in the world, after [[Basilica of Our Lady of Peace]] and [[St. Peter's Basilica]].<ref name="Peterss1">{{Cite web |url=http://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/Dome/Dome.htm|title=St. Peter's – The Dome |website=stpetersbasilica.info |access-date=30 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="Basilica.IvoryCoast">{{Cite web |url=https://rezoivoire.net/ivoire/patrimoine/820/la-basilique-notre-dame-de-la-paix.html |title=La Basilique Notre Dame de la Paix |publisher=Reseau Ivoire |website=www.rezoivoire.net |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://buffaloah.com/a/virtual/italy/rome/stpeter/int/int.html |title=Interior - St. Peter's Basilica |website=Buffaloah.com}}</ref> It also has the [[List of tallest domes|tallest top dome outside]] in the world without the lantern-cross with 121.1 meters. At the [[Roof lantern|lantern]]'s top the cathedral rises to 127.1 meters from the ground.<ref name="DomeHeight"/><ref name="Cadastral.Plan"/> The [[Christ Pantocrator|Pantocrator]] [[cupola]] of the People's Salvation Cathedral has 106.3 meters height from the floor,<ref name="Pantocrator106"/><ref name="Pantocrator1"/><ref name="Pantocrator2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.facebook.com/catedralanationala/posts/pfbid02oTAHNBc1PXvw9NPUfbkFKA8o5oGTxc8yR1qTaFNFFGMTQAjdPuu1tAPhW2HQbf4gl |title=În firmamentul Catedralei Naționale la înălțimea de 106 metri, va fi pictată icoana Mântuitorului numită Pantocrator |date=4 May 2023 |work=Romanian Patriarchate (Official page of Romania's National Cathedral on Facebook) |language=ro}}</ref> surpasses the interior height dome of St.Peter's Basilica which has 101.8 meters from the floor of the basilica.<ref name="SirBanister">Sir Banister Fletcher; ''A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method''; Capitol: Plans of Saint Peter's Basilica, History of Architecture, pg.722 with the title: Italian Renaissance; New York:Charles Scribner's Sons, 1946; {{ISBN|0750622679}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/exploringarchitectureandlandscape/chapter/st-peters-basilica/ |title=St. Peter's Basilica, MICHELANGELO, Renaissance, VATICAN CITY, 1546 AD |journal=The Ohio State University - Pressbooks Catalog}}</ref> The diameter of cupola is 16.8 meters inside, with 18 meters concrete making a hemispherical shape, and the concrete dome was completed on 24 May 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ziarullumina.ro/actualitate-religioasa/progrese-importante-pe-santierul-catedralei-nationale-148287.html |title=Progrese importante pe șantierul Catedralei Naționale: Diametrul cupolei este de 18 metri, înălțimea de 9 metri, iar forma este de semisferă perfectă.|last=Alexandru|first=Briciu|date=30 September 2019|work=Ziarullumina.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="Cathedral1">{{Cite news |url=https://ziarullumina.ro/actualitate-religioasa/stiri/lucrarile-continua-pe-santierul-catedralei-nationale-144640.html |title=Stadiul lucrărilor pe șantierul Catedralei Naționale |last=Alexandru |first=Briciu |date=29 May 2019 |work=Ziarullumina.ro|language=ro}}</ref> The dome is surrounded by six towers, and at the western end is the [[bell tower]] or campanile, 86.8 meters height crossless, which contains the world's largest free-swinging church bell.<ref name="Köln1"/>

The overall style is [[Romanian Revival architecture|Romanian revival]], a synthesis of [[Renaissance Revival architecture|Renaissance revival]] through the [[History of Italian Renaissance domes|high dome]], [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] through the [[Romanesque architecture#Ecclesiastical architecture|façade with towers]], and [[Neo-Byzantine architecture|Neo-Byzantine]] through the bell tower.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thearchspace.com/romanesque-architecture-a-quick-reference/ |title=Romanesque Architecture – A Quick Reference |work=Thearchspace.com}}</ref> Both the dome and the [[hexadecagon]]al outer cupola are a feature inspired by the [[San Pietro in Montorio#The Tempietto|tempietto]] shape of the St. Peter's Basilica. The outer dome's [[façade]] has some similarities to the northern façade and choir of the [[Sacré-Cœur, Paris]] Basilica.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.montmartre.io/montmartre/sacre-coeur/ |title=Le Sacré-Cœur à Montmartre: histoire, visite, accès, tout savoir |publisher=Montmartre |website=www.montmartre.io |language=fr}}</ref> In the [[Romanian architecture|Romanian space]], among sources of landmark are several buildings. The dome's peristyle surrounded by sixteen arches, the six upper octagonal towers with squared basis, three linear [[Molding (decorative)|moulding]] around the building find at the [[Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, Cluj-Napoca]]. The bell tower's façade with the porch, and the [[Dome#Types|Byzantine compound dome]] with two rows of pendentives, find at the [[Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://mitropolia-banatului.ro/prezentare-2/ |title=Prezentare |work=Mitropolia Banatului.ro|language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/catedrala-mitropolitana-timisoara-67796.html |title=Catedrala Mitropolitana din Timisoara |work=Crestinortodox.ro |language=ro}}</ref> Also from the [[Coronation Cathedral, Alba Iulia]] find the arches, [[cornice]], and the robust façade of the bell tower by side [[buttress]]es. The [[Portal (architecture)|portal]] with the bell tower's [[Rose window|rosette]] and the [[porch]] resemble that of the [[Antim Monastery]] and the [[Cașin Church]] in Bucharest.

[[File:Catedrala Națională a României (Lanternou).jpg|thumb|[[Roof lantern]]]]

The dome is set on a rectangular-[[octagon]]al shaped [[Tholobate|drum]] which has 1,350 square meters. Around the dome is a row of circular shields, adorned with the cross of [[Andrew the Apostle|Saint Andrew]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/catedrala-nationala-este-impodobita-la-exterior-cu-crucea-sfantului-andrei/ |title=Catedrala Naţională este împodobită la exterior cu Crucea Sfântului Andrei |last=Iulian |first=Dumitrașcu |date=6 November 2020|work=Basilica.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref> The main part to visit is the dome's [[peristyle]] with sixteen [[arch]]es supported on each side by continuous [[colonnade]] with a circumference of 93 meters around the dome and 29.4 meters in diameter. The [[Arcade (architecture)|arcades]] are supported by scallop [[Capital (architecture)|capital]] of simplified [[Corinthian order]]. The capital together with its [[Abacus (architecture)|abacus]], have octagonal shape in the towers and bell tower, and at the dome have hexadecagonal shape.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://medieval-sculpture.com/2017/04/27/cushion-and-scallop-capitals-part-2/ |title=Stories in Stone |date=27 April 2017 |work=Medieval-sculpture.com}}</ref> The large [[stained glass]] windows will be mounted around the dome, each measuring 11.45 meters height by 1.35 meters width.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://arhiepiscopiabucurestilor.ro/stiri/catedrala-nationala/catedrala-nationala-bilantul-anului-2022-si-obiectivele-pe-2023 |title=Zi de zi, catedrala își îmbracă pereții interiori cu chipuri sfinte |date=9 February 2023 |work=Arhiepiscopiabucurestilor.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref> Above the peristyle is the belvedere dome surrounded by a balustraded [[balcony]] at 97.8 meters height from the ground, behind a small semioval windows. Above this [[attic]] rises the cupola covered with gilded copper, and [[Rib vault|ribbed]] in accordance with the spacing of the [[column]]s. The outside cupola is pierced by sixteen small [[skylight]] just below the lantern, but these are barely visible from the ground level by an onlooker. The inner connection cupola-lantern, is achieved by a spiral metallized [[Stairs|staircase]]. The roof sheet is a CuAl5Zn5 alloy (Tecu-Gold), where copper has 91.55% (99.99% purity) and 8.45% aluminium bronze, and was made by the German company KME. The copper sheet area used for the cathedral is 19,913 square meters.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/replica-aliajul-din-care-este-facut-acoperisul-catedralei-nationale-nu-contine-aur/ |title=Aliajul din care este făcut acoperișul Catedralei Naționale nu conține aur|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=17 October 2021|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/cupolele-aurii-ale-catedralei-nationale-sunt-din-cupru/|title=Cupolele aurii ale Catedralei Naţionale sunt din cupru |last=Iulian |first=Dumitrașcu |date=28 May 2019 |work=Basilica.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref>

==== Interior ====
{{multiple image
| total_width = 350
| align = left
| footer_align = center
| footer = Inside the dome
| image1 = The dome of People's Salvation Cathedral from inside (November, 2019).png
| image2 = Domul Catedralei Naționale (București).jpg
}}
The inner dome consists of two parts supported by two rows of [[pendentive]]s, with a total area of 4,200 square meters, and the highest point of the dome's ceiling rises 106.25 meters above the floor of the nave.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.trinitas.tv/stadiul-lucrarilor-pe-santierul-catedralei-nationale-2/ |title= Work stage on the construction site of the National Cathedral [Reportage with Nicolae Crângașu, patriarchal adviser and coordinator of the cathedral's construction / 14:46↔14:56] |publisher=TRINITAS (Patriarchy television) |website=www.trinitas.tv |date=2023-10-03 |language=ro}}</ref><ref name="Pantocrator106">{{Cite web |title=(quoted): The most recent image achieved at the National Cathedral is the representation of Christ Pantocrator. "And maybe the most beautiful", appreciated the Patriarch. This icon was placed inside the tallest tower to 106 meters height. |url=https://basilica.ro/in-duminica-ortodoxiei-patriarhul-daniel-indeamna-credinciosii-sa-contribuie-la-pictura-catedralei-nationale/ |last=Sorin |first=Ionițe |publisher=Basilica.ro (News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate) |date=2024-03-24 |language=ro}}</ref><ref name="Pantocrator1">{{Cite news |url=https://ziarullumina.ro/actualitate-religioasa/stiri/santierul-catedralei-nationale-in-ultima-luna-a-sezonului-rece-187334.html |title=(quoted): The icon of the Savior Jesus Christ "Pantocrator", was transported on fragments to the quota +106 meters (...) at the highest point of the place of worship. |last=Emilian |first=Apostolescu |publisher=Ziarul Lumina (Patriarchy newspaper) |website=www.ziarullumina.ro |date=2024-02-08 |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= http://film.tvr.ro/---culorile-lui-----in-premiera--la-tvr-1_42324.html |title= Daniel Codrescu şi "Culorile Lui" (@TVR1) [Reportage about the dome of the People's Salvation Cathedral with Daniel Codrescu, the cathedral's main iconographer / subtitled 6:58-7:08 → "106 meters, I touched the ceiling of the cathedral"] |publisher=TVR (national public television) |website=www.tvr.ro |date=14 August 2023 |language=ro}}</ref> The upper dome having 2,830 square meters, with a diameter of 16.8 meters is supported by pendentives at 52.75 meters height, and will consists the mosaics: [[Christ Pantocrator]] and the registers of the nine heavenly powers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/4-ani-de-la-sfintirea-catedralei-nationale-icoana-nasterii-domnului-vizibila-integral-inainte-de-craciun/ |title=În 2023: Mozaicul turlei principale |last=Ștefana |first=Totorcea |date=25 November 2022 |work=Basilica.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="Cadastral.Plan">According to the cadastral plan (PUZ, scale 1:200) approved by Bucharest General Municipality, of the architecture company Vanel Exim SRL (April 2013), the company that designed the cathedral.</ref> The lower dome with a diameter of 25.2 meters is supported by pendentives at 40.35 meters height, having 1,370 square meters which will include [[Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar|scenes]] from the Savior's life, Theotokos and the holy apostles, prophets, hierarchs.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://basilica.ro/4-ani-de-la-sfintirea-catedralei-nationale-icoana-nasterii-domnului-vizibila-integral-inainte-de-craciun/ |title=În 2023: Mozaicul turlei principale |date=25 November 2022 |work=Digi24.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref>

[[File:Pantocrator - Catedrala Națională (București).jpg|thumb|[[Christ Pantocrator|Pantocrator]]]]

The Pantocrator cupola has about 450 square meters, of which the Pantocrator mosaic represents 150 square meters and the surface's rest is represented by the mosaic of the [[Angels in Christianity|nine heavenly powers]]. With a diameter of 12 meters, of which the face is 4.5 meters, the making of the Pantocrator mosaic required over six months and 2.4 tons of [[tessera]]e were used.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://arhiepiscopiabucurestilor.ro/stiri/catedrala-nationala/inceput-montarea-icoanei-pantocrator-turla-principala-catedralei |title=A început montarea icoanei Pantocrator în turla principală a Catedralei Naționale. |publisher=Arhiepiscopia Bucureștilor |website=www.arhiepiscopiabucurestilor.ro |date=2024-02-06 |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ziarullumina.ro/actualitate-religioasa/stiri/la-catedrala-nationala-a-inceput-pregatirea-pentru-realizarea-icoanei-pantocrator-180961.html |title=La Catedrala Națională a început pregătirea pentru realizarea icoanei Pantocrator |last=Anamaria |first=Maxim |date=25 May 2023 |work=Ziarullumina.ro |language=ro}}</ref> In February 2024, began assembling of the Pantocrator mosaic on the dome's ceiling at the highest point of the worship's place, and the dome's mosaic will be finished in 2025. Christ is wearing a blue mantle and a purple robe, he is the [[King of Kings|King of kings]] and shows strength, austerity and almighty. The arched eyebrows accentuate the horizontal lines of the arms, and the nose that intersects with the horizontal lines creates a symbolic cross. Around the Pantocrator mosaic are two quotations from (gr-Ps:79; en-[[Psalm 80|Ps:80]]) "O God!, o God!: look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vineyard which Thy right hand hath planted, and it perfects her"; and (gr-Ps:32; en-[[Psalm 33|Ps:33]]) "The Lord looketh from heaven, He beholdeth all!"; Amen.<ref name="Pantocrator1"/> The Pantocrator mosaic is mainly inspired by the mosaics from the mosaic [[Deesis]] (Δέησις, "Prayer") in [[Hagia Sophia]] located in the upper south gallery, dating back to 1261, from the southern dome of the [[The Chora|Chora church]], and from the dome of [[Daphni Monastery|Daphni monastery]] an eleventh-century [[Byzantine|Byzantine architecture]] monastery.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hagiasophia.com/deesis/ |title=Deesis |publisher=Hagiasophia |website=www.hagiasophia.com}}</ref>

=== Altar ===
{{multiple image
| total_width = 280
| align = left
| image1 = Theotokos Platytera - People's Salvation Cathedral (Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului).jpg
| image2 = Theotokos Platytera - People's Salvation Cathedral (Bucharest).jpg
}}
The vaulted apse [[altar]] reaches an interior height of 42.2 meters from the floor of cathedral, and the altar's mosaic including iconostasis is about 3,000 square meters.<ref name="MosaicCathedral"/><ref name="Cadastral.Plan"/> The floor of the altar where the [[Divine Liturgy|Holy Liturgy]] are held is 330 square meters, and with the altar [[ambulatory]] is 430 square meters. The iconography of the altar excluding iconostasis, comprises five sections: the apse and the hemicycle of the altar with three central registers and the [[vestment]] wall.<ref name="MosaicCathedral"/>

[[File:Red Tesserae of different shades made by Orsoni Venezia 1888.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|[[Tessera]]e for the Mother of God's [[Mantle (clothing)|mantle]]]]

On 7 May 2019,<ref name="Cathedral1"/> the [[Theotokos]] [[:el:Πλατυτέρα|Platytera]] (gr:''Πλατυτέρα των Ουρανών'', "higher than the heavens") icon was completed in the [[Semi-dome|apse altar]]. It is the largest mosaic of Theotokos in the world, having 16 meters height and 150 square meters.<ref name="TVR1">{{Cite news|title=Reportaj: Catedrala Națională – Universul credinței (25 Iulie 2021)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rHU8U9qFh4&ab_channel=UniversulCredintei-TVR |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/3rHU8U9qFh4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|work=TVR 1 (emisiunea: Universul Credinței)|language=ro-RO}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Apsealtar"/><ref name="Apsemosaic"/> The idea he started, is the Theotokos mosaic from the [[Hagia Sophia]], but larger in size than this.

Following the [[Hagia Sophia#Reversion to mosque (2018–present)|conversion of the Hagia Sophia to a mosque]], the coordinator of the team of iconographers Daniel Codrescu expressed his wish that the Theotokos of National Cathedral from Bucharest, will symbolically replace the Theotokos from [[Constantinople]].<ref name="TVR1"/> It is a synthesis "according to the Romanian soul" with elements from several well-known icons, Daniel Codrescu explained.<ref name="Apsealtar"/> To make the Platytera mosaic, one million pieces of mosaic were used.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.activenews.ro/stiri/Proiectul-de-decorare-a-Catedralei-Nationale-continua.-A-fost-montata-icoana-Maicii-Domnului-%E2%80%9EPlatytera-una-dintre-cele-mai-mari-reprezentari-in-mozaic-a-Maicii-Domnului-din-lumea-ortodoxa-155852|title=A fost montată icoana Maicii Domnului Platytera|date=9 May 2019|work=Activenews.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/catedrala-nationala-a-fost-montata-icoana-cu-cea-mai-mare-reprezentare-a-maicii-domnului-in-mozaic-din-romania/|title=Catedrala Națională: A fost montată icoana Maicii Domnului|last=Iulian|first=Dumitrașcu|date=9 May 2019|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> For the mantle of the Mother of God, nine different colors of red were used.<ref name="InsightCathedral">{{Cite news|url=https://b365.ro/in-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-din-bucuresti-s-a-aratat-un-inger-de-13-metri-insight-in-cel-mai-spectaculos-santier-din-romania-si-din-lume-406814/|title=Insight în cel mai spectaculos șantier din România și din lume|last=Antoaneta|first=Dohotariu|date=24 February 2021|work=b365.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> Below the Theotokos Platytera icon are nine windows through which light enters, like the nine biblical ode, emphasizing the description of the Queen of Heavens.<ref name="TVR1"/> The Theotokos Platytera icon is surrounded by the [[archangel]]s [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] and [[Gabriel]], each having 13 meters height with 5 meters width and the wings 10 meters in length.<ref name="InsightCathedral"/><ref name="Apsemosaic">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/daniel-codrescu-iconograful-catedralei-nationale-vad-viata-ca-pe-o-succesiune-de-lucruri-miraculoase/|title=Daniel Codrescu, iconograful Catedralei Naţionale|last=Anghel|first=Gheorghe|date=2020-06-30|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The mosaic of the Theotokos and archangels is about 600 square meters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/patriarhul-romaniei-face-apel-pentru-sprijinirea-lucrarii-de-pictare-in-mozaic-a-catedralei-nationale/|title=Patriarhul României face apel pentru sprijinirea lucrării de pictare în mozaic a Catedralei Naționale|last=Iulian|first=Dumitrașcu|date=2022-03-13|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> In June 2020, the mosaic of apse altar was completed having about 1,000 square meters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://catedralaneamului.ro/actualitatea-religioasa/stadiul-lucrarilor-pe-santierul-catedralei-nationale/|title=Stadiul lucrărilor pe șantierul Catedralei Naționale|date=2019|work=Catedralaneamului.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name="Apsealtar">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/en/bucharest-national-cathedral-workers-start-removal-of-scaffolding-to-reveal-altar-impressive-mosaic-icons/|title=National Cathedral workers start removal of scaffolding to reveal altar impressive mosaic icons|last=Aurelian|first=Iftimiu|date=2020-06-19|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| perrow = 2
| total_width = 270
| align = right
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Altar - Catedrala Națională (București, 2023).jpg
| image2 = Cortul Mărturiei și Împărtășirea Apostolilor - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului.jpg
| image3 = Altar - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului (Februarie 2023).jpg
| image4 = Împărtășirea Apostolilor - CMN (Altar).jpg
}}
The altar registers below the apse altar, are three in number. The upper register of the hemicycle, in the center contains the [[Tabernacle|Tabernacle of the Congregation]], which was a foreshadowing of the Mother of God in the [[Old Testament]]. On the left is the scene of [[Binding of Isaac|Abraham's Sacrifice]], and on the right is the scene of [[Melchizedek|Melchizedek's Tribute offering]]. The middle register in the center contains the establishing of the [[New Testament]] through the [[Body of Christ|Partaking of the Apostles]]. On the left is the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]] in the version of [[Holy Trinity Icon|Abraham's Hospitality]] (gr:''Φιλοξενία''), and on the right is the [[Elijah|Prophet Elijah]] fed by the ravens. The lower register is dedicated to eighteen Romanian saints hierarchs. The last section of the altar is the [[vestment]] wall, which includes nine stained glass with saints.<ref name="SfintiiCatedralei">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/themakingof-sfintii-din-altarul-catedralei-nationale-in-imagini/|title=Sfinții din altarul Catedralei Naționale|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=2021-02-10|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

[[File:Iisus Hristos - Împărtășirea Apostolilor (Altar).jpg|thumb|left]]

The mosaic of the Apostles Partaking is 22 meters in length by 7 meters in height, and the Savior has a height of 4 meters. The [[Eucharist]] also known as Holy Communion, or [[Last Supper|the Lord's Supper]] is a symbolic scene of the Apostles Partaking.{{sfn|Hazen|2002|p=34}} Angels with fans stand on either side of the Communion table. To their left and right is the twice portrayed figure of Christ: on the left is breaking [[Anaphora (liturgy)|bread]], on the right shares the [[Sacramental wine|wine]], and the disciples coming to Him from both sides. [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] appears turned with his back on the Savior, and the [[Halo (religious iconography)|halo]] remains detached behind (right side of the scene). This iconographic detail is taken from [[Sucevița Monastery]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.trinitas.tv/pictura-catedralei-nationale-in-culorile-jertfei-poporului-roman/ |title= Painting of the National Cathedral [Reportage with Daniel Codrescu, the cathedral's main iconographer / 17:57↔18:34] |publisher=TRINITAS (Patriarchy television) |website=www.trinitas.tv |date=2023-11-22 |language=ro}}</ref> Among the sources of inspiration is the mosaic in the altar of [[Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv|Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv]] (11th century), but also by the Eucharist mosaic from the museum of the same cathedral, which belonged to the demolished [[St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery|St.Michael's Monastery in Kyiv]] (1113).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://st-sophia.com.ua/fotoekspeditsii/mihaylovsky-sobor.html|title=Мозаики и фрески Михайловского собора Михайловского Златоверхого монастыря, г.Киев, XII в|work=st-sophia.com.ua|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://st-sophia.org.ua/uk/muzeyi/sofijskij-muzej/mozayiki-freski/|title=Мозаїки головного вівтаря. ХІ ст.|work=st-sophia.org.ua|language=uk}}</ref>

The pathway in front of the iconostasis is 7.7 meters width at the upper soleas with 3.13 meters width at the lower end, the [[soleas]] having 10.83 meters width and 270 square meters.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.trinitas.tv/stadiul-lucrarilor-pe-santierul-catedralei-nationale-2/ |title= Work stage on the construction site of the National Cathedral [Reportage with Nicolae Crângașu, patriarchal adviser and coordinator of the cathedral's construction / 15:11↔15:32] |publisher=TRINITAS (Patriarchy television) |website=www.trinitas.tv |date=2023-10-03 |language=ro}}</ref> The [[bema]] composed of altar and soleas is about 600 square meters for liturgical space. The floor of the altar and soleas are covered with marble and Rușchița stone, the models used being Muse Campagne, Caffe Latte, Sun Red, White Sivec, White [[Onyx|Onyx stone]] and Yellow Onyx stone.<ref name="Precizari1"/> Below the [[Altar stone|Holy Table]] of the altar are placed the relics fragments of the Saint Martyr [[Constantin Brâncoveanu]], and the relics fragments of the saints martyrs from [[Niculițel]]. Also inside the Holy Table, there is a list of 350,000 names of the Romanian heroes from the [[World War I|First]] and [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/ce-moaste-de-sfinti-romani-se-afla-in-sfanta-masa-a-catedralei-nationale/|title=Ce moaște de sfinți români se află în Sfânta Masă a Catedralei Naționale|last=Sorin|first=Ionițe|date=2018-11-26|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

==== Iconostasis ====
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}}
The [[iconostasis]] of the People's Salvation Cathedral, with the size of 23.8 meters length and 17.1 meters height, is the largest Orthodox iconostasis in the world.<ref name="Orsoni">{{Cite news|url=https://www.orsoni.com/project/orthodox-cathedral-in-bucharest/|title=Over 4 million tesserae separate the nave of the cathedral from the Sanctuary: the largest Orthodox iconostasis in the world.|work=Orsoni.com (Orsoni Venezia 1888)}}</ref> On one side the iconostasis has 407 square meters (wall to wall without doors) of mosaic being covered with over 4 million [[tessera]]e weighing 8 tons and with the adhesive 10 tons.<ref name="WorldRecordA"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/au-inceput-lucrarile-de-fixare-a-mozaicului-la-catapeteasma-catedralei-nationale/|title=Au început lucrările de fixare a mozaicului la catapeteasma Catedralei Naționale|last=Florin|first=Nicolaie|date=28 June 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref> Along with the thickened side edges that are part of the cathedral's iconography walls, the 1.26-meter thick iconostasis and over 800 square meters of mosaic on both sides is 25.2 meters length as nave, the whole structure with ornaments and crucifix weighing about 1,500 tons.<ref name="TVR1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trinitas.tv/catedrala-nationala-la-16-ani-de-la-punerea-pietrei-de-temelie/ |title=(quote): We have the world's largest iconostasis with 25 meters length and 18 meters height (with soleas), without the cross of 5 meters height – [time 5:39↔5:56] |date=2023-11-29 |publisher=Trinitas – television of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian Patriarchate]] |language=ro}}</ref><ref name="WorldRecordA"/> The [[royal doors]] has an inner vaulted of 4.28 meters height with 2.50 meters width, the edge of the gate being covered with 12.4 tons of [[Onyx]] stone.<ref name="Precizari1">{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/replica-precizari-despre-lucrarile-de-piatra-realizate-la-catedrala-nationala/|title=Precizări despre lucrările de piatră realizate la Catedrala Națională|last=Ștefana|first=Totorcea|date=17 October 2021|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> Age-old since the world began, the onyx is the first gemstone which find in the pages of the [[Old Testament]], in the [[Garden of Eden]] ([[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 2:12).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.maergroup.com/ro/materiale/onix|title=ONIX|work=Maergroup.com|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| perrow = 2
| total_width = 200
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| image1 = People's Salvation Cathedral - Days of Consecration 14.jpg
| image2 = People's Salvation Cathedral - Days of Consecration 13.jpg
| image3 = People's Salvation Cathedral - Days of Consecration 15.jpg
| image4 = People's Salvation Cathedral - Days of Consecration 12.jpg
}}
For the realization of the iconostasis of the cathedral in Bucharest, a team of over 45 mosaic and fresco specialists worked for ten months.<ref name="Orsoni"/> The leader of this team was iconographer [[Daniel Codrescu]]. Originally, the team had thought of marble frames for each large icon, but because the weight of the material could have affected the structure of the iconostasis resistance, the idea was abandoned. This iconostasis is made entirely of mosaic and fresco in [[Byzantine art|Byzantine style]]. The team involved in the project was divided into two groups: the first involved in making the mosaics in the workshop, and the second in fitting them on the stonework. Iconographer Daniel Codrescu said: "Everything is worked in the smallest details. The team tried to take the realization to another level of greatness. With the help of God, this monumental work is a gift to the [[Great Union Day|Centenary of Romania]]. This iconostasis is the summary of the kingdom of heavens."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/catapeteasma-catedralei-nationale-este-unica-in-lume/|title=Catapeteasma Catedralei Naționale este unică în lume|last=Florin|first=Nicolaie|date=24 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The front of the iconostasis has 45 icons placed on four registers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/mosaic-icons-began-to-be-applied-on-the-national-cathedrals-iconostasis/|title=Mosaic icons began to be applied on the National Cathedral's iconostasis|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=29 June 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The first register has six royal icons, the second register has thirteen icons with royal feasts, the third register has the icon of the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]] (center) and the [[twelve Apostles]], and the fourth register has the [[Theotokos]] (center) and the [[Twelve Minor Prophets|twelve Prophets]] of the [[Old Testament]]. On the four side doors are the four archangels, and on the royal door are the [[Annunciation]] and the [[four Evangelists]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Ig45YBpig&list=WL&index=10 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/i_Ig45YBpig| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title= The story of the mosaic at the National Cathedral (interview with Daniel Codrescu)|last=George|first=Grigoriu|date=18 November 2018|work=George Grigoriu|language=ro}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The royal icons have the dimensions of 2.15 meters width with 3.75 meters height and an area of 8 square meters. All icons of the iconostasis have a total of 130 portraits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzUry2vLfqw&list=WL&index=8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/nzUry2vLfqw| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Catapeteasma, un proiect unic în spațiul ortodox|date=23 November 2018|work=Romanian Patriarchy (Trinitas)|language=ro}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The rear face of the iconostasis contains three registers. The upper register in the center contains the [[Last Supper]], represented by the liturgical variant in the hemicycle altar through the [[Body of Christ|Partaking of the Apostles]]. On the left is [[Maundy (foot washing)|Jesus Christ washing the feet]] of the disciples. It is a ritual practiced on [[Maundy Thursday|Holy Thursday]] (Maundy Thursday). On the right are two scenes, the [[road to Emmaus appearance]] and the [[Road to Emmaus appearance#Supper at Emmaus|Supper at Emmaus]]. The middle and lower registers have nineteen Romanian saints, hierarchs, pious and priests. The iconostasis and the altar are joined by two walls, each with three saints.<ref name="SfintiiCatedralei"/>

[[File:Sfânta Treime - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului.jpg|thumb|left|Iconostasis – Holy Trinity]]

Commonly, on the iconostasis are four royal icons, but here we have six, which has helped us to represent the two patronal feasts, "Ascension of the Lord" and "Saint Apostle Andrew".  On the left is placed the icons of [[Saint Nicholas]] and [[John the Baptist|Saint John the Baptist]], two of the most beloved saints in Romanian space. Like a peculiarity, in the registry of the [[Apostles in the New Testament|Saints Apostles]] is represented the Holy Trinity, which in this case occupies the place of the [[God in Christianity|Judge Right]]. The latter, has been moved to the royal icon of the [[Jesus|Savior Jesus Christ]]. Together with the icon of the Theotokos and Saint John the Baptist is symbolized the [[Deesis|Deesis icon]]. The Holy Trinity was chosen by Patriarch Daniel, to emphasize the [[Bible|Scripture]] quote that says, "Going, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" ([[Matthew 28:19]]). The Saints Apostles preach the teaching of the Holy Trinity, being the representatives who [[Baptism|baptizes]] the nations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ziarullumina.ro/catapeteasma-unica-la-catedrala-nationala-139231.html|title=Catapeteasmă unică la Catedrala Națională|website=www.ziarullumina.ro|language=ro}}</ref>

At each entrance to the altar above the five doors, from right to left is written: 1st door – "Behold, a door standing open in heaven" ([[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] [[Revelation 4|4]]); 2nd door – "[[God]] of life!, open the doors of repentance to me, that my spirit sighs at Your holy church" ([[Horologion]]); central door – "Peace be to you!" ([[John the Apostle|John]] [[John 20|20]]); 4th door – "Blessed [[Virgin birth of Jesus|Virgin]] [[Theotokos]] open to us the door of mercy, so that those who trust in you may not perish" ([[Triodion]]); 5th door – "He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple, and I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord" ([[Ezekiel]] [[Ezekiel 44|44]]).

==== Crucifix ====
{{multiple image
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| align = right
| footer_align    = center
| footer          = Crucifix front and rear
| image1          = Crucifix - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului.jpg
| image2          = Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului - Pelicanul de pe spatele Crucifixului.jpg
}}
In December 2021, the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Crucifix]] was placed on the iconostasis after structure was made in August. The cross and the two side mosaics ([[:ro:Molenii|ro:''Molenii'']]) were made between 2018 and 2021 by the iconographer Daniel Codrescu, along with other nine mosaic specialists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/catedrala-nationala-au-fost-montate-pe-pozitie-crucea-si-moleniile-catapetesmei/|title=Au fost montate pe poziţie crucea şi moleniile catapetesmei|last=Iulian|first=Dumitraşcu|date=20 August 2021|work=Basilica.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> The Crucifix with a height of 4.5 meters and with the pedestal 5 meters rising to 23 meters from the floor of the cathedral.<ref name="sclipirea1"/> In the side-attendant of the Crucifix, are the [[Stabat Mater (art)|mosaics]] of the [[Theotokos]] and Saint [[John the Apostle]].

On the face behind the Crucifix, is a [[pelican]] with chicks, and at the bottom is a quote from the second ode of the [[Good Friday|Lord's Lamentations at the Burial]] ([[:ro:Denia Prohodului Domnului|ro:''Prohod'']]): "Like a pelican, You hurt yourself into your rib, O Saviour!; You gave your life, for your sons who died, spreading living springs over them". The image of the mother pelican feeding her chicks with his blood, is rooted in an ancient legends which preceded [[Christianity]]. The pelican is a symbol of the [[Passion of Jesus]] for Christianity and the [[Eucharist]] in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|East]] and in the [[Catholic Church|West]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://doxologia.ro/viata-bisericii/documentar/pelicanul-simbol-al-mantuitorului|title=Pelicanul – simbol al Mântuitorului|work=Doxologia.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-symbolism-of-the-pelican.html|title=The Symbolism of the Pelican|work=Catholiceducation.org}}</ref> A copy of this pelican on the back of the crucifix, can be seen in Bălăneanu-Iancu Nou Church, Bucharest, in the form of a circular mosaic imprinted on the nave's floor.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.parohiabalaneanu.ro/noutati/viata-parohiei/binecuvanteaza-doamne-cununa-anului-bunatatii-tale-2/ |title=Binecuvântează, Doamne, cununa anului bunătății Tale |publisher=Parohia Bălăneanu |website=www.parohiabalaneanu.ro |date=December 2023 |language=ro}}</ref>

On the back of the mosaic Theotokos, writes: "upon Thy right hand did stand the queen, embellished in a golden vestment and too beautify!" (gr-Ps:44; en-[[Psalm 45|Ps:45]]); and on the back of the mosaic John the Apostle, writes: "thine Own of thine Own, we offer unto Thee on behalf of all and for all" ([[Anaphora (liturgy)|Anaphora Liturgy]]-[[Byzantine Rite]]). The sides of the cross are decorated with a golden [[Interlace (art)|interlace]] ornament braided on a red background. The interlace recalls the archaic motif of the braided rope as a symbol of eternal life. The red decoration signifies the blood sacrificed on the cross and the royal power of the Lord. Among the sources of inspiration are the crucifix paintings from [[Studenica Monastery]] (1208), [[Moldovița Monastery]] (1532), and the crucifixes of [[Cimabue]] and [[Giotto]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ziarulnatiunea.ro/2019/08/10/crucea-cu-molenii-pentru-catapeteasma-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului/|title=Crucea cu molenii pentru catapeteasma Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului|date=10 August 2019|work=Ziarulnatiunea.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

=== Other notable elements ===
==== Courtyard ====
{{multiple image
| total_width   = 400
| align         = right
| caption_align = center
| image1        = Esplanada CMN (București - Februarie 2022).jpg
| caption1      = [[St. Peter's Square|Courtyard]]
| image2        = Portice CMN (București - Noiembrie 2021).jpg
| caption2      = [[Portico]]
}}
The cathedral's courtyard has six annexes. The most important annexes are the Saint John's House and Saint Paul's House (3.510,6 sq meters together)  for clergy pilgrims with rooms, where they will take place the missionary cultural center with classrooms and seminars, a library, and exhibition spaces. To the west of the cathedral will be placed two curved [[portico]]s (2,079.6 sq meters) which marks the main entrance to the enclosure of the ensemble, and two L-shaped porticos (5,159.2 sq meters) on either side of the esplanade. Initially, four cultural buildings were planned, but later the plan was abandoned, and the two buildings at the entrance have been turned into porticos.<ref name="CatedralaNationala"/>

The [[esplanade]] of the cathedral is located above the underground gallery called St.Andrew's Cave and implicitly has the same area of 15,581 square meters. The esplanade without porticos, the free side has 11,600 sq meters, where over 23,000 people can gather. One of the L-shaped portico includes the pangar of the cathedral, and the other portico includes the place where the candles burn. Behind the cathedral on the left, there will be a five hectare park, where a monument dedicated to the [[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension of Christ]] will be arranged. Part of the earth excavated at the foundation of the cathedral will be used for this monument.<ref name="CatedralaNationala"/><ref name="Catedrala.Date" />

==== Basement (chapels and galleries) ====
[[File:Capela subterană a Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului.jpg|thumb|left|Underground chapel]]

The cathedral has two large underground galleries. In the underground chapel a total of 5,000 people can attend the holy liturgy at the same time, and in the large polyvalent gallery under the cathedral esplanade called St.Andrew's Cave can be accommodate over 10,000 people.<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/> The underground chapel has two levels, which are connected to the main hall by colonnades, arcades and stairs, and has 7,200 square meters with 126 meters by 63 meters. The chapel hall has eleven meters high and the same dimensions (horizontally) as the main hall of the cathedral, except that it has no apse area. With annexes the underground chapel has 13,668 square meters, with 155 meters by 92 meters. The gallery St.Andrew's Cave has 15,581 square meters (including annexes) with 143 meters by 118 meters. If a person walks through the entire underground gallery of the cathedral from west to east, he has to walk 300 meters in a straight line. The two large underground galleries together have approximately 30,000 square meters. The galleries are divided into: spaces including a main hall, other halls and rooms for events; an icon and religious clothing shop; a workshop (for carpentry, upholstery and metal work for example); a museum, gallery-exhibition, liturgical performance media shop; as well as storage rooms, a refectory, religious/sacramental objects and employees rooms.<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/><ref name="CatedralaNationala"/>

Initially instead of the underground room of St.Andrew's Cave, a car park was planned there. But this was becoming an inconvenience for the underground chapel, due to emissions from cars, the plan was abandoned. Thus, the car park will be arranged on the left side of the courtyard from the west. The St.Andrew's Cave gallery will host the Museum of Romanian Christianity.<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/> Under the cathedral chapel at a depth of 16 meters, will be arranged only technical spaces for installations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/social/cum-arata-acum-catedrala-neamului-in-subsol-vor-fi-amenajate-sali-polivalente-de-aceeasi-marime-cu-biserica-de-deasupra-galerie-foto-10806129|title=În subsol vor fi amenajate săli polivalente de aceeași mărime cu biseric de deasupra|date=2013-04-26|work=Mediafax.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref> Also at this level, 42 [[crypt]]s will be arranged for the patriarchs of Romania and four [[Bunker|atomic bunkers]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stirilekanald.ro/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-are-amenajate-la-subsol-patru-adaposturi-antiatomice-16574174|title=Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului are amenajate la subsol patru adaposturi antiatomice|date=2016-10-07|work=Stirilekanald.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

The chapel will have a liturgical program for the monastery (daily). Liturgical services in the cathedral will be held on Sundays and on important holidays.<ref name="NationalCathedral">{{Cite web|url=https://basilica.ro/en/a-cathedral-for-the-capital-city-precise-and-important-data/|title=A CATHEDRAL FOR THE CAPITAL CITY. Precise and Important Data|last=Iulian|first=Dumitrașcu|date=26 July 2016|website=Basilica.ro}}</ref> The Holy Altar of the chapel is dedicated to [[:ro:Sfântul Ioan Iacob Românul de la Hozeva|Saint John James the Chozebite]] and [[Daniil Sihastru]], because they both lived a part of their lives in the cave.<ref name="Gallery.StAndrei"/> Saint John James the Chozebite (Hosevite) became a monk at [[Neamt Monastery]] and soon after his conversion he moved to the [[Holy Land]] where he lived near the downstream of the Jordan river, near [[Jericho]]. Toward the end of his life, he lived in the wilderness of Choziba at the [[Monastery of Saints John and George of Choziba|Saint George Monastery]]. In 1992 he was [[Canonization|declared a saint]] by the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate]] and in 2016 he was officially recognised as such by the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem]]. The Church celebrates his feast day on 5 August.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/en/a-spiritual-joy-for-romanians-the-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-will-officially-recognize-the-sainthood-of-venerable-john-jacob-of-neamt/|title=The Patriarchate of Jerusalem Will Officially Recognize the Sainthood of Venerable John Jacob of Neamţ|date=2016-01-26|work=Basilica.ro}}</ref> Daniil Sihastrul (or Daniel the [[Hesychasm|Hesychast]]) was a renowned Romanian Orthodox spiritual guide, [[hermit]], [[hegumen]] of [[Voroneț Monastery]] and advisor ({{langx|ro|duhovnic}}) of [[Stephen the Great]]. He encouraged Stephen the Great to fight for the defense of [[Christendom]] and to build holy places, after each battle won against the invaders. Canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1992, he is commemorated on 18 December.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://doxologia.ro/viata-sfant/viata-sfantului-cuvios-daniil-sihastrul|title=Viețile Sfinților: Viața Sfântului Cuvios Daniil Sihastrul|work=Doxologia.ro|language=ro-RO}}</ref>

==== Bells ====
{{multiple image
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| align = right
| caption_align = center
| image_align = center
| width = 230
| header = <small>The six bells</small>
| header_align = center
| image1 = Bells - People's Salvation Cathedral, Bucharest (2022).jpg
| image2 = Clopot 25T - Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului (București).wav
| caption2  = Big Bell 25.2 t (from the bell tower)
| image3 = Clopot (Big Bell) 25 t - Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului.ogg
| caption3  = Big Bell 25.2 t (from the courtyard)
}}

The cathedral has the world's largest free-swinging church bell, surpassing the [[St. Petersglocke|Saint Peter's bell]] (Petersglocke) in the [[Cologne Cathedral]].<ref name="Köln1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wamsiedler.de/rekord-gefallen-groesste-freischwingende-glocke-der-welt-nicht-mehr-in-koeln/|title=Rekord gefallen – Größte freischwingende Glocke der Welt zukünftig nicht mehr in Köln |last=Wamsiedler|first=Sebastian|date=13 April 2017|website=www.wamsiedler.de|language=de-DE|trans-title=Record broken – Largest free-swinging bell in the world will no longer be in Cologne|access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref> With a weight of 25,190&nbsp;kg, a clapper of 750&nbsp;kg,<ref name="Atlas-geografic"/> a diameter of 3,355&nbsp;mm, a height of 3,130&nbsp;mm, thickness of 273&nbsp;mm, the bell was cast on 11 November 2016 in [[Innsbruck]] by [[Grassmayr Bell Foundry|Grassmayr]] and is elevated to 65 meters. The casting time was 9 minutes and 23 seconds, the bell being made of 78% copper and 22% tin both 99.99% purity, and has a very low beat C3 (en) – C<sup>0</sup> (de) – Do2 (ro) with 130.8&nbsp;Hz. The cathedral has six bells weighing 32,243&nbsp;kg, and the sound of the big bell is heard from 15 to 20&nbsp;km.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tinmoinhat.site/news/0kX6YWmDOnE/25t-grassmayr-glocke-f%C3%BCr-bukarest-mehr-klangproben-und-fotos-vom-842017|title=25t Grassmayr-Glocke für Bukarest: Mehr Klangproben und Fotos vom 8.4.2017|date=9 April 2017|website=tinmoinhat.site|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826123718/https://tinmoinhat.site/news/0kX6YWmDOnE/25t-grassmayr-glocke-f%C3%BCr-bukarest-mehr-klangproben-und-fotos-vom-842017/|archive-date=26 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tirol.orf.at/news/stories/2835914/|title=Kirchenglocke größer als die Pummerin|date=8 April 2017|work=tirol.orf.at|access-date=30 November 2018|language=de-DE}}</ref> For the biggest bell 425,000 euros were paid, and the total value of the six bells totalled roughly 550,000 euros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/patriarhul-daniel-a-sfintit-clopotele-de-jumatate-de-milion-de-euro-ale-catedralei-nationale-pe-care-apare-propriul-sau-chip-990422|title=Patriarhul Daniel a sfinţit clopotele de jumătate de milion de euro ale Catedralei Neamului, pe care apare propriul său chip|date=3 September 2018|website=www.digi24.ro|language=ro}}</ref>

A team of 25 experts from [[Italy]], [[Germany]], [[Austria]], [[Croatia]] and [[Romania]], worked on the great bell of the People's Salvation Cathedral. The leader of the team was the Italian campanologist [[Flavio Zambotto]]. Flavio Zambotto said about the bell: "The collaboration for the bell of the Cathedral in Bucharest is my greatest professional achievement. For this bell the team worked 8 months. The bell is made of the premium alloys, at the highest standards. Work was done in the smallest details, and at a purity of 99.99%, the acoustic tolerance is 0%. I had the honor of working at some famous bells and every bell is like a son to me. But the bell of the Cathedral in Bucharest is magnificent, among the best in the world. All acoustic parameters are superlative. The sound is sober, very strong, long and it marks you."<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-21695347-video-povestea-clopotului-cel-mare-care-suna-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-clopot-recordurilor.htm|title=VIDEO Povestea clopotului cel mare care va suna in Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului, un clopot al recordurilor|last=Cajvaneanu|first=Miruna|date=2 April 2017|website=www.hotnews.ro|language=ro|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref>

The sound of the big bell in the People's Salvation Cathedral of Bucharest was chosen especially to resemble the sound of the famous bell ''[[Pummerin]]'' in [[St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna|Saint Stephen's Cathedral]] of [[Vienna]], though compared to ''Pummerin'', the Bucharester bell sounds longer and is lower and stronger. The big bell will be rung only on major holidays and declared national days. The sounds of the six bells span two complete octaves.<ref name=":17" />

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#DDDDDD"
| rowspan="2"| '''Nr.'''
| rowspan="2"| '''Diameter'''<br />(mm)
| rowspan="2"| '''Mass'''<br />(kg)
| colspan="3"| '''Note'''
| rowspan="2"| '''Year cast'''
| rowspan="2"| '''Manufacturer''' 
|-
! style="background:#DDDDDD"|En !! style="background:#DDDDDD"|De !! style="background:#DDDDDD"|Ro
|-
| 1 || 3,355 || 25,190 || C3 || C<sup>0</sup> || Do2 || rowspan="6"|2016 || rowspan="6"|Grassmayr Bell Foundry<br />(Innsbruck)
|-
| 2 || 1,695 || 3,296 || C4 || C<sup>1</sup> || Do3
|-
| 3 || 1,361 || 1,685 || E4 || E<sup>1</sup> || Mi3
|-
| 4 || 1,127 || 933 || G4 || G<sup>1</sup> || Sol3
|-
| 5 || 1,033 || 709 || A4 || A<sup>1</sup> || La3
|-
| 6 || 875 || 430 || C5 || C<sup>2</sup> || Do4
|}

== Further details ==
=== Historical events ===
==== Consecration ====
{{Commons category|Inauguration of the People's Salvation Cathedral, Bucharest|Inauguration of the People's Salvation Cathedral}}
On 23 November 2018, the [[Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch]] arrived in Romania to lead the consecration of the People's Salvation Cathedral which was planned on Sunday 25 November; the Ecumenical Patriarch was officially welcomed by [[Patriarch Daniel of Romania]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.romania-actualitati.ro/ecumenical_patriarch_bartholomew_officially_welcomed_by_patriarch_daniel-121338|title=Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officially welcomed by Patriarch Daniel|date=23 November 2018|website=www.romania-actualitati.ro|access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/ecumenical-patriarch-officially-welcomed-by-patriarch-daniel-at-the-patriarchal-cathedral-in-bucharest-video/|title=Ecumenical Patriarch officially welcomed by Patriarch Daniel at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest: VIDEO|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=23 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=28 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/ecumenical-patriarch-in-romania-for-dedication-of-cathedral/|title=Ecumenical Patriarch in Romania for dedication of cathedral|date=23 November 2018|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=28 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> In his welcoming speech, Patriarch Daniel talked about the "spiritual connection between the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mother-Church, and the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daughter-Church"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/welcome-to-romania-message-by-romanian-patriarch-daniel-at-the-reception-of-foreign-delegations/|title=Welcome to Romania! – Message by Romanian Patriarch Daniel at the reception of foreign delegations|last=Dumitraşcu|first=Iulian|date=23 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=28 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 24 November, at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, during the meeting of the synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel of Romania made a speech to the Ecumenical Patriarch, thanking him for the cooperation between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/message-by-romanian-patriarch-daniel-at-the-solemn-meeting-of-the-holy-synod-of-the-romanian-orthodox-church/|title=Message by Romanian Patriarch Daniel at the solemn meeting of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church|last=Ioniţe|first=Sorin|date=24 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=28 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/mesajul-patriarhului-daniel-la-sedinta-solemna-a-sf-sinod-text-integral/|title=Mesajul Patriarhului Daniel la Ședința Solemnă a Sf. Sinod (Text Integral) – Basilica.ro|last=Sorin|first=Ioniţe|date=24 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=28 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref> During the same meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch made a speech to the Romanian Orthodox synod, stating that he was "sure the Romanian Orthodox Church will be involved in preserving the church unity and justice."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/i-am-sure-the-romanian-orthodox-church-will-be-involved-in-preserving-church-unity-ecumenical-patriarch/|title=I am sure the Romanian Orthodox Church will be involved in preserving church unity: Ecumenical Patriarch|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=24 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=29 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/mesajul-adresat-de-patriarhul-ecumenic-ierarhilor-bisericii-ortodoxe-romane-text-integral/|title=Mesajul adresat de Patriarhul Ecumenic ierarhilor Bisericii Ortodoxe Române (Text Integral)|last=Ioniţe|first=Sorin|date=24 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=28 November 2018|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://orthodoxie.com/le-patriarche-bartholomee-je-suis-sur-que-leglise-orthodoxe-roumaine-simpliquera-dans-la-preservation-de-lunite-orthodoxe/|title=Le patriarche Bartholomée : " Je suis sûr que l'Église orthodoxe roumaine s'impliquera dans la préservation de l'unité orthodoxe "|last=Panev|first=Jivko|date=25 November 2018|work=Orthodoxie.com|access-date=28 November 2018|language=fr-FR}}</ref>

[[File:Consecration of the People's Salvation Cathedral (25.11.2018).jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.35|[[Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I]] ''(center-red)'',<br />[[Patriarch Daniel of Romania]] ''(center)'' and<br /> [[:el:Μητροπολίτης Πατρών Χρυσόστομος Σκλήφας|Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras]] ''(center-back)'']]

On Sunday 25 November, the Ecumenical Patriarch with Patriarch Daniel of Romania and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras consecrated together the People's Salvation Cathedral with [[myrrh]] and [[Holy water in Eastern Christianity|holy water]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/consecration-ceremony-of-romania-national-cathedral/|title=Consecration ceremony of Romania National Cathedral by Patriarchs of Constantinople, Romania|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=25 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=29 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=TRINITAS TV|title=CUNUNA CENTENARULUI: Catedrala Națională a fost sfințită|date=25 November 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y_kNPsLxwk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/3y_kNPsLxwk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=29 November 2018}}{{cbignore}} (1 minute, 23 seconds)</ref> At the big event, the consecration was held in the presence of 60 bishops by Romania and other Orthodox countries, together with 40 hegumens and protopopes, to mark the [[Great Union Day|Centenary of Romania]].
 
The Ecumenical Patriarch chaired the first liturgy of the Romanian People's Salvation Cathedral.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="Sorin" /><ref name=":54">{{Cite news|url=https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Orthodoxie/Roumanie-inaugure-grande-cathedrale-orthodoxe-monde-2018-11-25-1200985392|title=La Roumanie inaugure la plus grande cathédrale orthodoxe du monde|last=La-Croix.com|date=25 November 2018|newspaper=La Croix|language=fr|trans-title=Romania inaugurates the world's biggest Orthodox cathedral|access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref> Both the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Patriarch Daniel of Romania led the church service this day; it was the very first church service in the cathedral.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/25/romania-thousands-attend-blessing-of-controversial-cathedral|title=Romania: thousands attend blessing of controversial cathedral|last=Agencies|date=25 November 2018|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref><ref name=":54" /><ref name="Sorin" /> During his homily at the cathedral, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said he was "connected" to Patriarch Daniel of Romania with his "old personal, pure and sincerely tested friendship, but also with the unshaken, brotherly love in Christ and good understanding."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/the-arsenal-hill-turned-into-the-hill-of-grace-and-blessing-for-the-entire-romania-ecumenical-patriarch/|title=The Arsenal Hill turned into the hill of grace and blessing for the entire Romania: Ecumenical Patriarch|last=Dumitraşcu|first=Iulian|date=25 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=29 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> On 26 November, Patriarch Bartholomew went back to Istanbul.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://basilica.ro/en/ecumenical-patriarch-concludes-visit-to-romania-brothers-and-sisters-rejoice-be-of-one-mind/|title=Ecumenical Patriarch concludes visit to Romania: 'Brothers and sisters, rejoice! Be of one mind!'|last=Iftimiu|first=Aurelian|date=28 November 2018|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=29 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Thousands of people travelled from all parts of the country to attend the consecration, disregarding the cold weather and waiting times to get a chance to enter the cathedral. Although they travelled hundreds of kilometres to participate in the consecration of the National Cathedral, the cathedral appeared to them as a chimney shrouded in fog, which they had to look at from afar, climbing on fences and surrounded by the gendarmes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://recorder.ro/documentar-recorder-catedrala-umilirii-neamului/|title=DOCUMENTAR RECORDER. Catedrala Umilirii Neamului|last=Recorder|first=Redactia|date=27 November 2018|website=Recorder|language=ro-RO|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Act de Sfințire al Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului.tif|thumb|upright|The Document of Consecration]]

The Ecumenical Patriarch and Patriarch Daniel signed the Document of Consecration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ziarullumina.ro/act-de-sfintire-a-catedralei-mantuirii-neamului-139391.html|title=Act de sfințire a Catedralei Mântuirii Neamului|website=www.ziarullumina.ro|language=ro}}</ref> The presence of Patriarch Bartholomew and the absence of [[Patriarch Kirill of Moscow|Patriarch Kiril of Moscow]] at the cathedral inauguration "appears to suggest that Romania is siding with Constantinople in the [[2018 Moscow–Constantinople schism|dispute]]."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://emerging-europe.com/news/romania-inaugurates-grandiose-new-cathedral/|title=Romania inaugurates grandiose new cathedral|last=Turp|first=Craig|date=25 November 2018|work=Emerging Europe|access-date=28 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> To the questions: "Will Patriarch Kiril in Romania come to the sanctification of the painting?" and "How will the presence of His Holiness Bartholomew I affect the relationship between the ROC [Romanian Orthodox Church] and the Russian Patriarchate [Russian Orthodox Church]?", the Romanian Patriarchate spokesman Vasile Bănescu<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/news/eveniment/vasile-banescu-purtatorul-cuvant-patriarhiei-asistam-asalt-miscarii-lgbt-casatoriei-1_5bae55bfdf52022f75f439ec/index.html|title=Vasile Bănescu, purtătorul de cuvânt al Patriarhiei: "Asistăm la un asalt al mişcării LGBT împotriva căsătoriei"|last=Sirbu|first=Laurenţiu|date=28 September 2018|website=adevarul.ro|language=en|access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref> answered: "I am absolutely convinced that Patriarch Kiril will return to Romania on the occasion of the sanctification of the painting and will not withdraw because the ROC had the wisdom to plead for a dialogue to heal the wound of this separation between the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. [...] We hope that this relationship, currently interrupted, will be resumed. The Romanian Patriarchate has a natural relationship with the [[Moscow Patriarchate]] and there are no tensions at the moment".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://evz.ro/ce-va-face-patriarhul-rusiei.html|title=Ce va face Patriarhul Rusiei după ce Patriarhul Constantinopolului a sfințit Catedrala Națională|last=Tănase|first=Cristian|date=26 November 2018|website=[[Evenimentul Zilei]]|language=en|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref>

==== Pope Francis ====
[[File:Pope Francisc - Patriarch Daniel (31.05.2019).jpg|thumb|[[Pope Francis]] (left, in white, with a [[zucchetto]]) and [[Patriarch Daniel of Romania|Patriarch Daniel]] (right, in white, wearing a [[klobuk]])]]

On 31 May 2019, [[Pope Francis]] arrived in Romania, visiting the cathedral the same day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://basilica.ro/papa-francisc-a-vizitat-catedrala-nationala/|title=Papa Francisc a vizitat Catedrala Naţională|last=Iulian|first=Dumitrașcu|date=31 May 2019|work=Basilica.ro|access-date=1 June 2019|language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.eu/religion-photos/belief-faith-churches-organisations-photos/pope-francis-visit-to-romania-photos-55238743|title=Pope Francis visit to Romania|date=31 May 2019|website=Epa.eu|language=en|access-date=1 June 2019}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-05/pope-apostolic-visit-romania-orthodox-cathedral-our-father.html|title=Pope in Romania: the 'Our Father' prayer in Bucharest's Orthodox Cathedral|last=Linda|first=Bordoni|date=31 May 2019|website=Vaticannews.va|language=en|access-date=1 June 2019}}</ref> Pope Francis expressed the hope that "Romania can always be a home of all, a place of meeting, a garden in which reconciliation and communion flourish." The pope emphasized brotherhood and communion among all who prayed to the same Heavenly Father. He said: "Each time we pray, we ask that our trespasses, our debts, be forgiven.  This takes courage, for it means that we must forgive the trespasses of others, the debts that others have incurred in our regard.  We need to find the strength to forgive our brother or sister from the heart (Mt 18:35), even as you, Father, forgive our trespasses: to leave the past behind us and, together, to embrace the present.  Help us, Father, not to yield to fear, not to see openness as a threat, to find the strength to forgive each other and move on, and the courage not to settle for a quiet life but to keep seeking, with transparency and sincerity, the face of our brothers and sisters<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basilica.ro/en/pope-francis-the-our-father-is-a-prayer-that-leaves-us-troubled-and-crying-out-in-protest-against-the-famine-of-love-in-our-time/|title=Pope Francis: The 'Our Father' is a prayer that leaves us troubled and crying out in protest against the famine of love in our time|last=Sorin|first=Ioniţe|date=31 May 2019|website=Basilica.ro|language=en|access-date=2019-06-01}}</ref>... I come as a pilgrim desirous of seeing the Lord's Face in the faces of my Brothers."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basilica.ro/en/pope-francis-addresses-romanian-orthodox-bishops-i-come-as-a-pilgrim-desirous-of-seeing-the-lords-face-in-the-faces-of-my-brothers/|title=Pope Francis addresses Romanian Orthodox Bishops|last=Aurelian|first=Iftimiu|date=31 May 2019|website=Basilica.ro|language=en|access-date=1 June 2019}}</ref>

=== Criticism ===
Often in the national media, critics associate the People's Salvation Cathedral and the Palace of the Parliament, the two colossuses of Romania's capital that share the same courtyard. As the largest Orthodox church in the world,<ref name="Largest1" /> next to the world's heaviest and second largest administrative building in the world,<ref name="Heaviest" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Largest administrative building| publisher=World Records Academy|url= http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/biggest/largest_administrative_building_world_record_set_by_the_Palace_of_the_Romanian_Parliament_80185.htm}}</ref> French newspaper ''[[Le Figaro]]'', named it "a pharaonic project", "worthy of the megalomania of [[Nicolae Ceaușescu]]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2008/02/01/01003-20080201ARTFIG00478-les-projets-pharaoniques-de-l-eglise-orthodoxe-a-bucarest.php|title=Les projets pharaoniques de l'Église orthodoxe à Bucarest|date=1 February 2008|newspaper=[[Le Figaro]]|access-date=30 November 2018|language=fr-FR}}</ref> A Romanian newspaper said that the People's Salvation Cathedral will be the most expensive building built in the country  after the [[Romanian Revolution]] of 1989.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zf.ro/eveniment/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-va-fi-cea-mai-scumpa-cladire-construita-dupa-revolutie-galerie-foto-5500214|title=Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului va fi cea mai scumpă clădire construită după Revoluție|date=11 February 2010|website=zf.ro|language=ro}}</ref> Another Romanian newspaper said that the politicians of the Romanian government depend on support from the Romanian Patriarchate in the election campaign, and estimates that when the cathedral will be fully completed, the value of the cathedral in the real estate market will be over €1 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ziare.com/social/biserica/presa-suedeza-romanii-sunt-flamanzi-in-timp-ce-mega-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-se-ridica-1340138|title=Românii sunt flămânzi, în timp ce mega Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului se ridică|date=23 December 2014|website=ziare.com|language=ro}}</ref> A Romanian journalist called the cathedral a "God mall".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://adevarul.ro/news/societate/catedrala-mantuirii-tara-mantuielii-1_50ac0d917c42d5a663844d85/index.html|title=Catedrala Mântuirii în Țara Mântuielii|date=24 March 2004|newspaper=[[Adevărul]]|access-date=30 November 2018|language=ro}}</ref>

The biggest construction project in Romania since the [[Romanian revolution|revolution]], the cathedral was initially announced to be built with the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]]'s money. It was later discovered that the church had used its influence and the government had decided to promulgate law no. 563/2007 that allows the allocation of unspecified amounts of public funds to the cathedral's building.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PL-x nr. 563/2007 |url=https://www.cdep.ro/pls/proiecte/upl_pck2015.proiect?idp=8615 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=www.cdep.ro |language=ro}}</ref><ref>https://www.cdep.ro/proiecte/2007/500/60/3/se563.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> Aside from money from the [[Government of Romania|Romanian Government]] allocated to the Cathedral through the State Secretariat for Cults (SSC), city halls have also contributed to the total budget.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" /> For instance, after a meeting between the Mayor of Bucharest at that time, [[Gabriela Firea]] and [[Patriarch Daniel of Romania|Patriarch Daniel]] of the Romanian Orthodox Church, an agreement which mentioned the Bucharest City Hall would allocate money to the cathedral's construction was signed but never mentioned to the public.<ref name=":9" /> One independent publication finds the total amount of public money (earned by the state from the people) to be at 120 mil euro.<ref name=":7" />

The criticism is mostly related to the primary use of [[public funds]] from the state as opposed to the Church's own, the lack of proper auctioning processes and instead direct acquisitions/selections, the lack of transparency in regards to the way public funds were spent, erroneous communication and the chosen construction companies being closely related to church members.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Stoicescu |first=Vlad |date=2018-11-22 |title=Catedrala Mânuirii Neamului {{!}} Să Fie Lumină |url=https://safielumina.ro/catedrala-manuirii-neamului/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Ilie |first=Victor |date=2021-10-07 |title=INVESTIGAȚIE RECORDER. Catedrala prăduirii neamului |url=https://recorder.ro/catedrala-praduirii-neamului/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Recorder |language=ro-RO}}</ref>

The Romanian Orthodox Church's answer to such criticism was that the new cathedral would not imitate the gigantic buildings of the communist era, but would "correct them, through a decent and harmonious volumetry".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://patriarhia.ro/fericii-cei-ce-construiesc-biserici-nu-cei-ce-le-demoleaza-1513.html|title=Fericiți cei ce construiesc biserici, nu cei ce le demolează|website=patriarhia.ro|access-date=30 November 2018|type=Communiqué}}</ref> The presence of the cathedral in the area with the Parliament of Romania, the Ministry of National Defense and the Romanian Academy, is seen as a dialogue and necessity for the benefit of the national homeland.<ref name="Catedrala.Date" />

==See also==
*[[List of largest Eastern Orthodox church buildings]]
* [[List of largest church buildings]]
* [[List of tallest church buildings]]
* [[List of tallest domes]]
* [[List of highest church naves]]

===Romania===
{{Portal|Romania|Christianity}}
* [[Romanian Orthodox Church]]
* [[Religion in Romania]]
* [[History of Christianity in Romania]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|url=https://www.emag.ro/catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-nicolae-st-noica-bas978-606-8141-57-2/pd/EZMC60BBM/|title=Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului: istoria unui ideal|last=Noica|first=Nicolae St.|publisher=Basilica|year=2011|isbn=978-606-8141-57-2|location=Bucharest}}
* Lavinia Stan, Lucian Turcescu, "Politics, National Symbols and the Romanian Orthodox Cathedral," ''Europe-Asia Studies'', November 2006, 58 (7) pp.&nbsp;1119–1139.
* {{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/byzantiumfaithpo0000unse|title=Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261–1557)|last=Evans|first=Helen C.|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)|year=2004|isbn=978-0300102789|location=New York|url-access=registration}}
* {{Cite book |last=Tateo |first=Giuseppe |title=Under the Sign of the Cross: The People's Salvation Cathedral and the Church-Building Industry in Postsocialist Romania |publisher=[[Berghahn Books]] |year=2020 |isbn=9781789208597 |location=New York}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|People's Salvation Cathedral, Bucharest|People's Salvation Cathedral}}
{{Sister project links|Romania|voy=Romania}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORxfUNg9yc&list=PLL48WQDy5blA5AkxtI1WKeTOJS6oEY30x&index=84&t=0s Consecration of the People's Salvation Cathedral – Trinitas (video)]
* [http://campaners.com/php/v0.php?numer=1141 (Official film) The great bell of the People's Salvation Cathedral<br />(Eine Glocke für die Ewigkeit – Una campana para la eternidad) – 3SAT (author)]
* [http://www.catedralaneamului.ro/index.php Catedralaneamului.ro]
* [https://www.arhiepiscopiabucurestilor.ro/ Arhiepiscopia Bucureștilor]
* [https://www.grassmayr.at/ Grassmayr]

{{Romanian Orthodox Church}}
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[[Category:Romanian Orthodox churches in Bucharest]]
[[Category:Romanian Orthodox cathedrals in Romania]]
[[Category:21st-century Eastern Orthodox church buildings]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures under construction in Romania]]
[[Category:Church buildings with domes]]