Sfântul Dumitru-Poștă Church in Bucharest. The history of the oath-taking church saved from demolition
Behind the former Postal Palace, among the streets of the Old Town, Sfântul Dumitru-Poștă Church preserves the memory of a Bucharest where oaths sworn before the altar played a part in settling disputes. Its history includes rebuilding, fires and a campaign that saved the church from demolition.For those who discover it on a walk, the façade’s tall columns are the first distinctive feature. Beyond its architecture, the church’s story reveals the connections between religious life, education and the city’s community.Why it is called “Poștă” and “de Jurământ”The name “Poștă”, meaning “post office”, comes from the nearby Postal Palace, the building that now houses the National Museum of Romanian History. The name helps distinguish the church in a city with several places of worship dedicated to Saint Demetrius.The name “de Jurământ”, or “of the Oath”, refers to an older practice. People involved in legal disputes would take solemn oaths here, pledging to tell the truth. The account publis... Read more
