Heroes Church

HEROES CHURCH The 5th Infantry Division was the great unit that had its garrison in the city of Buzău. The division's religious service was established on 1st November 1924, with soldiers attending religious services in the city's churches. The garrison staff decided to build their own church through public subscription, collections and other philanthropic efforts. The first money that went into this fund came from the collection made on the front by the officers and soldiers of Dorobanți 8th Regiment, which remained after the erection of a monument to the heroes of the regiment fallen on the battlefield at Doaga-Mărășești. Other money was raised from the donation made by the soldiers of the 5th Infantry Division and the Ministry of War, but an important amount was raised through public subscription lists throughout Buzău County. The foundation stone of this holy place was laid on 4th July 1927, on the land donated by the Ministry of War, on the western edge of the city, in the barracks area, near the road to Ploiești. The work was closely supervised by General Traian Epure, commander of the 5th Infantry Division. The ceiling was painted free of charge by Elena Dobrovici, in memory of her brother, who dies on the battlefield. The consecration of the church took place on 25th March 1929, the Feast of Annunciation, by Stroe, Bishop of the Army and Ghenadie, Bishop of Buzău in the presence of a large audience. The two marble plaques inside the church commemorate the 220 hero officers, while another 80 paintings recall the 6,600 hero soldiers of the 5th Infantry Division. In memory of all these heroes of our nation, the church's dedication day has been set for the first Sunday after Pentecost, the "Sunday of All Saints". In 1930 the other works of the church were also finished and in 1938 painter Titel Benea completed the painting. After 1948, when the institution of the military clergy was abolished, the Church of Heroes became a parish church. However, the feeling that it belongs to the army has always remained. The establishment of a cemetery for fallen Soviet soldiers during the Second World War in the extension of the Heroes Cemetery only strengthened this feeling. In order to welcome the Centenary of the founding of Great Romania, Heroes Church and Cemetery of Buzău were consolidated and restored by Buzău City Hall. Thus, at the church dedicated to All Saints, the following works were carried out: groundwater drainage, replacement of the roof, restoration of the towers and replacement of their crosses, restoration of the façade, replacement of the floor, stripping of the painting layer, plastering and preparation for repainting, replacement of the iconostasis, repairs to the floor, restoration of the electrical installation and replacement of the carpentry. In 2018, on the occasion of the Centenary of the founding of Great Romania, Buzău City Hall and 2nd Infantry Division "Getica" - the great unit of Buzău garrison - organized a series of events that culminated with an impressive commemorative action dedicated to Heroes' Day – 17th May - an authentic event of national identity, elevated to this rank by the enthusiasm and great effort of the organizers.