Chesarie Căpățână

Born in Bucharest to a poor couple, Efrem Cavafu and his wife Dragna, he attended the Greek school at Domnița Bălașa Church, then studied psaltic music under Dionisie Fotino, with Anton Pann as a classmate.

[3] In his enthronement speech, Chesarie struck a patriotic note, in tune with the nascent national awakening of Romania, praising the Wallachian uprising of 1821 and its leader Tudor Vladimirescu.

[4] Over the course of his reign, Chesarie restored or founded (as ktetor) tens of sacred buildings, including the Buzău Cathedral; the monasteries of Râmnicu Sărat, Rătești, Ciolanu and Cheia; the churches of St. Demetrius–Poștă and Holy Angels.

By 1846, some sixty titles had emerged from the press, including the first Romanian church newspaper, Vestitorul Bisericesc (1839-1840); future bishop Dionisie Romano played an increasingly active role in the enterprise.

Its goal was for each graduate to become a priest or deacon, and was animated by the bishop’s belief that anyone with important responsibilities had a primary duty for educating the youth.

A dedicated seminary building opened in late 1838; this 16-room neoclassical palace, in a town of poor dwellings and unpaved roads, drew notice from many visitors.