The Archiepiscopal Cathedral of the Ascension of the Lord

The Archiepiscopal Cathedral of "the Ascension of the Lord" and "the Three Holy Hierarchs" is the most important place of worship in the Archbishopric of Buzău and Vrancea, built between 2002 and 2009 at Aleea Episcopiei no. 3, in the municipality of Buzău. It was erected at the initiative of Archbishop Epifanie Norocel and constructed by SC CONCIFOR SA Buzău. The consecration service took place on 8 November 2009, officiated by Patriarch of Romania Daniel and Archbishop Epifanie, in the presence of approximately ten thousand faithful — an event that also marked the elevation of the Bishopric of Buzău and Vrancea to the rank of Archbishopric. On 27 March 2011, a reliquary containing the vestment and a fragment of the relics of Saint Hierarch Martyr Teodosie from Mănăstirea Brazi was placed in the cathedral. The cathedral is distinguished by its imposing main tower and its contemporary religious architecture incorporating traditional Byzantine elements. The episcopal complex of which it forms a part includes, in addition to the new cathedral, the old Voivodal Cathedral of "the Dormition of the Mother of God" — founded by Voivode Matei Basarab in 1649, with paintings by Gheorghe Tattarescu — the Episcopal Palace built by Constantin Brâncoveanu, the monks' cells, and the Episcopal Museum with its collections of old ecclesiastical art.