The only church in Romania with a spring gushing from under the altar. On the feast of the Healing Spring, the place of worship becomes a place of pilgrimage

The Greek Church in Brăila, dedicated to the “Annunciation”, is an impressive construction, which combines the Byzantine style with the Renaissance Gothic style. The foundation stone of the place of worship was laid in 1863, the construction of the edifice being possible thanks to the help given by the Greek community in Brăila, which obtained approval from the ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza.

The Greek Church in Brăila, the only church in Romania with a spring gushing from under the altar

During the excavations of the foundation, on the left side of the Holy Altar, with the entrance from the courtyard, a spring was discovered, whose water is considered miraculous. More precisely, one of the founders had a dream that led to the discovery of this spring with healing properties. The dream was taken as a divine sign, and the spring was closed in a well. The Holy Altar was built above it.

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The belief that the water of the spring turns into aghiasma only one day a year, on the Feast of the Healing Spring, also dates back to that time.

Until the year 2000, the water from the spring was taken out with a stick. A believer from Germany donated money for the redevelopment and reconstruction of the well, buying an electric water pump.

The construction, painting and decoration of the church, a huge job spanning almost eight decades

The plan of the church was made by the architect Avraam Ioanidis from Brussa, the works being executed by Italian craftsmen, according to muzeulbrailei.ro

Upon entering the church, your eyes quickly fall on a huge crystal chandelier brought by Greek sailors from Murano. Inside, there are five other smaller chandeliers made of Bohemian crystal.

The central dome rests on four white marble columns, to which are added eight more columns that support the church. The church choir sings in a generously sized balcony.

The church has three altars. The central altar is erected in honor of the Annunciation. Above the Holy Table, there is the canopy which has six tall columns, carved with innumerable lacework. Another altar is in the south part of the church and was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The third altar is positioned in the northern part and was built in honor of Saint Gerasimos of Kefalonia. Right under this altar there is the spring with the miracle-working water.

The interior of the church was decorated by the Italian painter Fernando Iacevoli (capitals, friezes, architraves), by his apprentice Gioachimo Brolca (marble cladding of the columns) and Rolf Schumann (pulpit and flooring).

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The painting of the church was executed in three stages by different painters. Gheorghe Tăttărescu painted, in 1880, Jesus Pantocrator and the four evangelists; followed by the Greek painter Constantinos Livadas Liochis, who, between 1900 and 1902, painted the Holy Altar, with part of the nave, the large arch to the east and the large arches to the north and south; the third, the painter Belizarie, created, between 1945 and 1946, the porch and the final part of the nave.

The facade of the church is made of gold leaf by specialists brought from Constantinople. The paintings on the tapestry were made by three artists: Matache Orășeanu, between 1876 and 1877, a number of 26 paintings, then Ioan Abescu, one painting in 1913 and Vasile Robea – three paintings also in 1913.

Personalities who crossed the threshold of the “Buna Vestire” Church in Brăila

The threshold of the Greek Church in Brăila has been stepped on by important personalities over time: His Majesty King Michael and Queen Ana came here on June 19, 1988. Also, the ambassador of the United States of America during the Clinton administration, James Rosapepe, with his wife visited the church on February 24, 1999.