The Orthodox Cathedral in Turda

 

The Orthodox Cathedral in Turda (with the patron saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel) is located on Andrei Saguna Street No. 2, with the main entrance facing December 1, 1918 Square.

History

It was built in memory of the great Voivode Michael the Brave by the General Enterprises "Tiberiu Eremia", based on the plans of architect Ioan Traianescu. The work was also made possible by donations from the Aries Bank, the Orthodox Women's Society, various businesses, and private individuals. The architecture is a blend of the styles characteristic of the three historical Romanian provinces. The plan is in the traditional cross shape. The cathedral was consecrated on November 3, 1935 by Bishop Lucian Triteanu of Roman. In 1955, it was declared an architectural monument, one of the architectural gems of the city.

The building was constructed as a cathedral, with a capacity of 1,200 people and is located in the center of the city. The land on which the cathedral was built was purchased from the Turda City Hall represented by Mayor Iuliu Gențiu, according to the attached purchase-sale agreement (see "External links: Purchase-sale agreement land"). The cathedral's history includes the name of the founder, Protopop Iovian Mureșan, who served as the shepherd for 38 years under whose leadership the cathedral was built, painted and consecrated. His remains are honored under the altar. The cornerstone was laid in 1926, and the work was completed in 1935. A characteristic of this building is the bell tower. It has an Oltenian saddle shape and resembles the one at the Orthodox Cathedral in Alba Iulia.

The icons of the iconostasis were painted by the painter Paul Molda (1884-1955), and the interior of the building by Gheorghe Belizarie. The furniture, iconostasis, pulpit, archbishop's thrones, stands, tetrapods, chairs, were made by Professor Aurel Pop from Tg. Mures, ornamented with sculpted grapevines, stylized angels and acanthus leaves. 

 

One unique thing is the presence in the Cathedral of an icon of the Virgin Mary with the Baby, to which the faithful pray. The icon was brought from Bucharest at the beginning of the 20th century and carried in procession through the city, by oxen. Some testimonies claim that this icon is quickly useful to women who cannot become pregnant.

It is also worth mentioning the presence of an icon with the face of the Savior, which has on the reverse the inscription: "Donated by a family from Basarabia, torn from the bosom of the fatherland. Pray for them!".

Due to time, war, smoke from candles, the entire ensemble required restoration. In 1986, the interior was restored by a team led by the painter Dimitrie Banica from Bucharest. Later, the exterior was also restored. On the left side of the cathedral entrance, there is a painting of King Carol II in the uniform of a mountain hunter general, with the mantle of the "Order of Michael the Brave". The painting was revealed during the restoration work.

On an exterior wall of the cathedral, a projectile from the 30s is embedded. The projectile is deactivated, harmless, but nobody knows why it was built there, in the wall of a house of worship.