Mosaic of the Mother of God Oranta Installed at Romania’s National Cathedral
Icon highlights ancient Christian imagery ahead of cathedral’s consecration this October.
BUCHAREST — In preparation for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, a new mosaic depicting the Mother of God Oranta was installed in the narthex of Romania’s National Cathedral, as reported on Aug. 12, 2025, by Basilica News Agency. The icon shows the Theotokos with raised hands and open palms, bearing the Christ Child on her chest as a symbol of the Incarnation.
Art coordinator Daniel Codrescu noted that the image, rooted in early Christian art and common in Byzantine mosaics, portrays the Mother of God as an intercessor and represents the praying Church. He cited as a famous example the 11th-century “Mother of God Oranta” in Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral, known as the “Immovable Wall” for its symbolism of protection.
The cathedral’s mosaic team is working at an accelerated pace to complete as much decoration as possible before the consecration on October 26, 2025, when Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will again visit Bucharest. According to Patriarchal Counselor Fr. Nicolae Crîngașu, the team’s goal is 360 square meters of mosaic monthly, a target they often exceed.
Previously, UOJ reported that the local canonization of Saints Paisie (Olaru) and Cleopa (Ilie) drew over 20,000 pilgrims from across Romania and abroad.
