The White Church – History
Founders
The White Church, impressing architectural monument in the historical, ecclesiastic and cultural space of Bucharest, was built in 1827 by the great Royal Court Administrator, Nicolae Trăznea, trustworthy man of Prince Grigore Ghica, endowed with high administrative ranks in the Royal Court of Wallachia, on the foundation of a former church (destroyed by earthquakes) built by priest’s Neagu Dârvaş family aided by the Ladies Rada and Vișa, at the beginning of the 18th century (probably around 1700).
Architecture
The church is made out of brick wall, in rectangular shape with circular sanctuary apse. The sanctuary is semi-circular with vault, having one window on the Eastern side, a Prothesis for Proskomedia and a Diaconicon. The Nave is rectangular with two windows on sides and a polygon shaped dome. The pro-Nave has a vault in the centre. The Narthex is open.
Along the time different works for the consolidation of the building have been made. These works were each finished in the years 1873, 1960 and 1978. Between 1986 and 1998 ample restoration and painting works were made. The Iconostasis, the furniture, the windows, the roof and the external part of the church were either repaired or cleaned and in some cases replaced under the supervision of Curate Priest Ioan Bănăţeanu and Priest Florian Paraschiv.
The painting
The oil painting of the church has been made by the famous painter Gheorghe Tăttărăscu who finished the work in 1873. Since the date the building was finished to this year, the church had no figures painted at all, being painted just in white inside. This is the reason for which this church has been named “The White Church” and this name remained ever since.
During the time after 1873, work has been done in order to repair the painting: in 1925 (by the painter Costin Petrescu), 1945, 1949, 1961 (by the painters A. Avachian and V. Hoflic), and in 1978 (by the painters S. Angelescu, V. Grimalschi, M Lăzărescu and O. Boldura).
The sculpture
One of the most valuable sculptural piece, tourists’ favorite, is the Iconostasis. It was made in oriental style by the second half of the 19th century in Venice (Italy) and was originally intended for another church which was situated on the place where the “George Enescu” State Philharmonic lies today. Because of the ruining of this latter church, the Iconostasis has been brought in 1873 in the White Church. This Iconostasis is a masterpiece of wood carving, having some most impressive thematic floral ornaments.
Testimonial and Christian mission in present days
Having three Holy Protectors, St. Nicolas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, St. Elias the Great Prophet and St. Haralambos the Great Hieromartyr, the White Church has had worthy priests, well known for their high liturgical, theological and spiritual build-up.
As in the past the church remains a true place for prayer and spiritual meditation for both foreign and Romanian visitors who pass its doorstep. The priests and the community are both aware of their mission to be the testimony and to fully pass forward the Romanian orthodox faith and spirituality.
