Paper short abstract:

After the fall of communism, the dynamic forces of orthodox religion reclaimed its place in the physical domain, and in cultural terms. This study focuses on past and present pilgrimages and processions in the orthodox ritual year within Bucharest.

Paper long abstract:

Communism left its mark on Bucharest's landscape. Once known for its numerous orthodox churches, the city is today associated with the House of the People, epitome of communist power. While building it, many churches were demolished or hidden behind socialist-realist apartment blocks. But destroying consecrated space did not destroy the faith. Only one year after the political turn, 94% of Romanians expressed belief in God. The average professed belief has since remained constant.

After the fall of communism, the dynamic forces of orthodox religion re-emerged and reclaimed its place both in the physical domain, and in cultural terms. A symbolic moment was marked in 2011 when, during the celebration of Saint Dimitrie the New, protector of Bucharest, the relics of Apostle Andrew, protector of Romania, arrived from Greece and were carried in a procession throughout the city to the site of the new Cathedral of the Salvation of the Nation. Situated only a few hundred meters from the House of the People, the cathedral represents the Church's reclamation of the public sphere, its repossession of the urban territory. Coming down the boulevard formerly known as The Victory of Socialism, the procession proclaimed the triumph of Christianity over atheistic rule. The holy relics consecrated the city space, transforming the 'Chaos' generated by communism into the 'Cosmos', 'their' city into 'ours' (Eliade).

Fieldwork and archival sources focus on the increasing presence of religion in the public realm. Attention is given to past and present pilgrimages and processions in the orthodox ritual year.