This summer, ROYA organized the 7th edition of the Heritage Trip from the 19th of July until the 4th of August. Our program encompassed both traditions and surprises, including stays at Oasa Monastery (July 19th-28th), Găbud Skete (July 28th-30th), a relaxing retreat in the area of Bistrița (July 30th-3th), and finally at Putna Monastery (July 31st-August 4th). The goodwill of our group, although small in number at first, was our most noticeable quality. This is, after all, a major quality of the Romanian spirit, as we were soon to see for ourselves with spiritual eyes.
Oașa Monastery
The adventure started with the long-awaited International Camp at Oașa Monastery. The brotherhood welcomed us with much joy and love. In this blessed place, it was confirmed that the demands of monastic life can only be conquered through zeal and sacrifice. The service schedule at Oașa began at 3:00 am with Matins and at 6:00 am with Divine Liturgy, where the youth had the opportunity to chant the service hymns. In fact, there were daily byzantine chant rehearsals held with Sister Teodora so that everyone would be ready for the altar feast day of the monastery on the day of Saint Pantelimon. Around 8:00 we had breakfast while one person read aloud from a spiritual book. Naturally, however, an authentic monastic experience is impossible without obedience. Each one of us received an obedience to accomplish during our stay – some of us worked at the monastery’s store, some in the kitchen, some in the garden, while others in the garage. The strongest connections were made during these obediences. How, may one ask? Unlike other worldly duties, everything at the monastery is done repeating the Jesus Prayer, and those words ‘’Lord Jesus Christ…’’ invisibly link our hearts together. Additionally, the schedule at Oașa Monastery consisted of conferences aligning with both professional and spiritual interests. In accord with the year of the canonization of the New Saints by the Romanian Orthodox Church, several of these conferences were held on the theme of theology, particularly the legacy and teachings of Father Dumitru Stăniloae. The highlight of the Oașa camp was the Vigil for Saint Pantelimon together with the Hierarchical Liturgy for the feast day served the following morning. To spend the night in intense prayer for eight hours is by no means easy, but those services of rare power and beauty sowed within us a state of spiritual presentness. The altar feast day, as a result, was luminous and full of grace. Behold the fruits of zeal and sacrifice!
Monastic Field Trip to Poiana Muierii
Romania is a country rich in culture and tradition, but especially in holy places. On July 20th, all Oașa participants were invited to visit Poiana Muierii at the Skete of Saint Elijah for its altar feast day. We were able to see the surrounding lakes and dense forests on the way, and this isolated little skete served as an intriguing glen between them all. The youth arrived early for Matins and remained there until late afternoon. It was an extraordinary spiritual experience, especially considering that we do not have sketes on our side of the diaspora. It was quite impressive to be united in prayer with hundreds of faithful on a mountain far from civilization. After the culmination of Divine Liturgy, all the youth was invited to eat. Free time followed, in tandem with the opportunity to watch traditional dances. On a nearby hill across from the summertime altar, one could hike up to the cross — but what an unexpected sight! At the top, one could see a full 360 degrees of nothing but mountains and fog-covered valleys, with cold springs running through them. Behind, one could still hear the assembly of country folk gathered for the village festivities. Blessed is the simple life!
Găbud Skete
The drive towards Găbud Skete was accompanied by longing for what had just been, yet with anticipation for what still lies ahead. In similar manner we left behind the mountains and made our way to the fields. The drive lasted for about two hours but passed by as if it were all in a movie. Bonding and storytelling with everyone were surreal moments that shall remain inscribed in each of our hearts.
In the evening of our arrival, we gathered up on a small hill with a lovely view looking down at the skete and all the localities in the distance. The sun was setting so beautifully — it felt like we were caught somewhere between the earth and the sky. A sweetly caressing breeze was billowing at the same time, as though something in that air was carrying an eternity of hidden nostalgias. The summer colors and smells had us burn with longing, so consequently we began to sing carols and patriotic hymns together. Father Gheorghe, abbott of Găbud Skete, eventually joined us and spoke to us openly about the cross of the modern-day Orthodox youth. With this he was encouraging us, especially being Romanians from the diaspora, to remain as united as possible and to stay close to the Church. Asking him questions served as a great spiritual unburdening, and we all felt the warmth of his love, so much so that we talked until the very Milky Way itself could be seen above us. The next day we participated in Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch and afterwards various obediences according to what was needed.
The next morning after Divine Liturgy already marked our time for departure from Găbud. We said our farewells to Father George with blessings and embraces, and like that, with gratitude, we began our journey toward the last part of our ROYA Heritage Trip.
Layover around Bistrița
On the way to Putna Monastery, the ROYA group stopped at the Tihuța tourist guesthouse near Bistrița. It is a serene place nestled between mountains, with cowherds casually strolling by the roadside. Our youth initially stopped at Piatra Fântânele Monastery—built last century—dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God, where we had the blessing to venerate the slipper of Saint Spyridon and Saint Ephrem the New Martyr. Gathering ourselves at the guesthouse later that day, our group had free time all evening as a nice reward for the hard work done thus far. Nothing but laughter and board games could be heard until late!
Putna Monastery
Immediately as you enter the village of Putna, the air suddenly changes and an overwhelming peace can be felt. As per untouched tradition, our ROYA group arrived yet again at the much-loved place where Saint Stephen the Great’s arrow landed through Divine Providence. At Putna Monastery we felt totally at home in the “Fatherly Embrace”. Once entered into the church, all earthly cares are left behind. Time itself gets lost within its walls and you find yourself in front of the Great Voivode, “holy and alive in spirit”. In this place we experienced the most beautiful and reverent moments. At the end of the vigils, “To Thee the Champion Leader” was always chanted in front of the icon of the Mother of God by candlelight. It seemed to us that the melodious voices of the monks encapsulated all of the prayers and sighs of the Romanian nation. Nothing is finer than unity!
Probably our most memorable part at Putna was our discussions with Father Archimandrite Hrisostom. Not a single theme, question, or preoccupation was shied away from; rather, we “exchanged hearts” among ourselves for hours until a certain spiritual clarity was enlightened within us concerning our relationship with God and our neighbor. Father’s particular approach motivated us to yearn after a deeper praxis, and the lessons learned in these sessions prepared us tremendously for the Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion.
One of the activities we performed included a mini “pilgrimage on foot” to Sihăstria Putna Monastery, as a small commemoration of last year’s adventure. How restful it is to walk through villages! One moment you notice a country homestead, the next moment you hear a goat bell! At Sihăstria Putna, we marveled at the iconography in the main church and paid our respects to the graves of Archbishop Pimen and Father Proclu. The following day at Putna, we engaged in a guided museum tour by Father Dosoftei, where we observed many of the monastery’s exhibits from the Stefanian period and that of the Holy Hierarch Saint Iacob of Putna. The most obvious takeaway is the fact that Europe owes its undisturbed Christianity to Saint Stephen the Great. The penultimate day of our stay at Putna was dedicated to an outing to Sucevița Monastery, which is recognized as an UNESCO monument for its gothic-byzantine architecture and painted murals covering the whole surface of the church. Both the biblical scenes painted on the outer walls as well as the whole synaxarion painted in the narthex makes Sucevița Monastery, along with several other similar churches, to be the leading representation of Moldova.
Visit to the Salaș Skete
Further north towards the border with Ukraine exists a branch of Putna Monastery possessing the Holy Prophet Elijah as its patron. This skete follows the old Orthodox calendar, the reason for which—as if from a dream—we found ourselves once again celebrating this great Forerunner of the Old Testament on August 2nd. Father Abbot Melchsedec was present at the Divine Liturgy and gave the sermon. Both the landscape and the culture of this Bucovinean oasis are outstanding. Being quite near Ukraine, many Romanians in the surrounding villages have ancestry from across the border, as demonstrated by the multitude of faithful in colorful folk costumes. After Divine Liturgy, there was a memorial service held in the skete’s cemetery. We were left impressed by the people's generosity. Later, Father Hrisostom held an open-air conference on the subject of obedience. By definition, obedience does not mean to do what God says, but rather to do what He wills. As an example, God humbled Elijah’s zeal by first showing obedience Himself, in this way humbling Himself as a model for man. Likewise for us, through an attentive humility, our soul and life shall be illumined by the True Light. Blessed Augustine gracefully reminds, “the New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed”. In exact practice, Elijah’s lesson of humility prefigures the Savior’s words from the Gospel, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13). God makes Himself known only through His love for mankind; therefore, we thank Him for the spiritual interpretations heard on that lovely feast day.
Sunday on the August 4th after the Divine Liturgy marked the end of the ROYA 2024 Heritage Trip. Being united in prayer with the brotherhood of Putna by the summer altar felt truly wonderful. Father Abbot Melchisedec blessed us and gave each of us a small gift bag of memories toward our spiritual benefit, although the greatest gift was the blessing of being able to be there. He earnestly adjured us to never let our Romanian spirit die — meaning our values and culture. All that could remain at this point was a profound sense of gratitude, but nevertheless with a sigh hidden deep within. It would be a lie to say that the moment of departure was not difficult. With bittersweetness, we bade farewell to the Fathers and to the tomb of the Great Voievode. Moving forward now, we hope to see each other again soon “at the gate of Stephen the Great”.
Parting Word
We thank the Lord for this beautiful journey through the garden of His Mother, likewise for all that has been acquired in it. God's love remains the greatest realization of this camp, and, in fact, the greatest realization in the life of man. Additionally, the love and joy shared amongst every youth present in this camp—whether from ROYA or new friends—united us in a small family around Christ and the Mother of God. With this in mind, we warmly recommend all young Romanians in North America to participate in the ROYA Heritage Trip. It is rewarding to know your country, to honor your ancestors, to express yourself in your own language. Orthodoxy without roots cannot be lived with the same intensity. Let us, then, begin living.
Ana Maria Frujinoiu & Valentin Cioana
