Dragomirna Monastary and Village

Dragomirna Monastery was built in 1602, the future Metropolitan Bishop of Moldava built a chapel on his property at Dragomiresti, also known as the Church of the Heritage.  The building was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and the prophets Elijah and Enoch. Yes, it is another Romanian Orthodox Church.  We see these churches built throughout the country of Romania by dignitaries, rulers and magistrates.  Generally the one who had the building built or the builders themselves have been buried in these buildings and have an epitath placed over them on the floor in the nave of these churches.  So, when you walk in to the church, the entry room is called the narthex.  The second room you come to is called the nave and is usually where those who had something to do with building the church are buried, honored and respected by the Orthodox Christians.  The third and final room is called the sanctuary where you will find some elaborate pews, a baptismal font, an altar and the entire walls and ceilings painted with frescos of saints, martyrs and stories in the Bible. Sometimes, historical events are combined with the stories in the Bible in the frescos as well.  

What many might not know is that even though Romania was not occupied by the Communist Soviet Union, they were taken over and forced by the USSR to be governed by a communist government which they established from 1947 to 1989.  Initially the church and its leaders were attacked, killed and suppressed.  However, the Orthodox Church during that time period was for the most part tolerated by this socialist atheist government.  There is so much rich denominational history that it is impossible to share it in a blog.  Enjoy.

After visiting this monastary, we captured a couple more shots of a storks nest and a wheat field on our way home.  Enjoy.

"Where's Pastor ?!"

Luther Quote of the Day

"Whenever I have prayed earnestly, I have been heard and have obtained more than I prayed for." 

BONUS

For those who read the entire blog.  The photo below shows a little room I found out back of the property we are living at here in Romania.  It sits right next to the large garden. Brings back memories of living on the farm.