Carol II of Romania
The cornerstone was laid on September 24, 1924, by Bishop Visarion Puiu of Hotin with the future King Carol II of Romania, Patriarch Miron of Romania, Patriarch Damian of Jerusalem, Metropolitan Pimen Georgescu of Moldavia, and Metropolitan Gurie Grosu of Bessarabia. Between 1923 and 1935, Visarion Puiu was bishop of Hotin, his seat being in Bălți.