For hundreds of years, the church of Saint Spyridon the Old continues to beautify, through its discreet presence, the life of Bucharesters.
Although its founders and the year of construction are not known with certainty, and its religious architecture does not attract the attention of those who love beauty in any special way, the place of worship impresses with its authenticity and simplicity.
Some historical writings mention as founders the Florești boyars, "old-line and generous boyars", whose sumptuous residence was located nearby, in the former neighborhood of "Scorțarului", most likely named after those who processed tree bark, indispensable to tanners.
It is also known that during the reign of Prince Constantin Mavrocordat, the small wooden church was replaced with another one made of stone, surrounded by cells, the religious establishment soon becoming a monastery.
In addition to the significant financial contribution of Prince Mavrocordat, Patriarch Silvestru of Antioch was also a co-founder.
Also during this time, as in the case of other places of worship in Bucharest, an inn was built around the monastery, but it was demolished with the start of the Dâmbovița sewerage works.
Over time, other buildings were erected on the site of the inn, among the most famous being the "Tyre Society", later transformed into a theater, which following renovation works became the "Operetta Theater".
In 1815, during the terrible plague epidemic during the reign of Prince Caragea, the Bucharesters who had not left the Capital, in order not to infect each other, closed themselves in monasteries, including "St. Spiridon the Old".
In the 19th century, the church suffered significant damage due to the earthquakes of 1802 and 1838, then the reform of the secularization of the monastery's assets, initiated by Prince Cuza, left it terribly impoverished.
During the communist regime, in 1987, it was demolished, and was not rebuilt until 1995.
A year later, on the occasion of its consecration, on Saint Demetrius' day, on October 26, the two inscriptions in Greek and Arabic, unique in the church world, the entrance portico, the carved stone columns inside and on the porch, the window frames, as well as the icons in the iconostasis were re-installed in their place.
