Saint Constantine and Elena Cathedral, Bălți


The Saint Constantine and Elena Cathedral is a cathedral in Bălți, Moldova.

History

The cornerstone was laid on September 24, 1924, by Visarion Puiu with Patriarch Damianus of Jerusalem, Miron Cristea, Metropolitan of Moldova Pimen Georgescu, Gurie Grosu, Carol II of Romania. Between 1923 and 1935, Visarion Puiu was bishop of Hotin, his seat being in Bălți.
The cathedral was built in neo-Byzantine style. The consecration of the Saint Constantine and Elena Cathedral took place in Bălți on June 2, 1935. The Ecumenical Patriarch Patriarch Photios II of Constantinople was represented by the Metropolitan of Australia Timotheos Evangelinidis. The consecration ceremony was also attended by the king Carol II of Romania.
The building survived the harsh treatment during the Soviet era almost without visible effects, when it was for most of the time a depot, later to be turned into the municipal museum.

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