The local Orthodox community mainly lived in the Velența and Orașul Nou districts, and was composed of Romanians, Serbs, Aromanians and Greeks.

A number of them acquired substantial wealth, were prominent in city life and wished to build a grand church.

Two rich, influential judges on the appeals court, noblemen devoted to the Orthodox faith, obtained an audience with Joseph II.

In spite of protests, permission was granted, and the Bishop of Arad, Petar Petrović, presided over the cornerstone laying.

[2] The keystone above the iconostasis[4] used to feature a portrait of Vasile Ursu Nicola, better known as the revolt leader Horea and usually considered the only authentic depiction of his face.