The Saint Stelian – Lucaci Church (Biserica Sfântul Stelian – Lucaci) is a Romanian Orthodox church in central Bucharest. It is the only church in Bucharest that is dedicated to Saint Pious Stelian Paflagon.
The history of the church goes back to the 17th century when the nobleman Lucaci built the first church in this location from wood. Over time, the Lucaci Church, named after its founder, deteriorated and was reconstructed from stone in 1736. At this time Metropolitan Ștefan of Wallachia also brought the relics of the Saints Stelian, Haralambie, Elefterie, and Onufrie to the church.
The earthquake of 1838 destroyed the church after which it was rebuilt with the help of the Macedonian merchants Anghel Hagi Pandele and Constantin Athanasiu who lived in the surrounding suburb that was also called Lucaci. The Holy Emperors Constantine and Elena and the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel were added as patronages and the church was consecrated in 1842.
Only five years later, in 1847, the church was destroyed again by the Great Fire of Bucharest. Due to financial difficulties money had to be raised from the parishioners to rebuild the church. After only three years the church had been completely rebuild in the neoclassical style we see today. With the church also carrying out cultural-educational activities, over time the faithful’s devotion to Saint Stelian, the protector of children, was growing. The saint became the main patronage and hence the church became known as the Saint Stelian – Lucaci Church.
Next to the church stands a memorial bust of Anton Pann (1794-1854), an influential composer, writer, poet, folklorist, and author of the melodic line of Romania’s national anthem who is buried in the church.
