inside Radu Vodă - Holy Trinity Monastery Apr2024 (24)
he monastery of Radu Vodă has the consecrations of the Holy Trinity and the Saint Hierarch Nectarios of Aegina.
It was founded by Voivod Alexander II Mircea (1568-1577) and his lady, Ecaterina, to thank God that He gave him the victory in the battle he carried on these lands, against Vintilă-Vornicul and Dumbravă-Vornicul.
“The architectural plan and forms of the Radu Vodă church are inspired by the Episcopal church at Curtea de Argeş, the difference being that the building material is not stone, but brick.
The plan is a triconch, with a tower on the nave, and with an enlarged narthex, with three towers above it.
The main of the three towers rests on twelve columns, symbolizing the twelve apostles, similar to the model from Curtea of Argeş”
as we learn from the presentation page of the Monastery.
The personality of the place is emphasized as well by the fact that it is located on a hill, so that it looks like a Christian fortress, and the high communist blocks of flats around it do nothing but protect it from the inclement weather.
Located only ten-minute walk away from Unirii Square, the settlement is easily accessible to those who want to cross its threshold.
The construction date is controversial and it fluctuates between 1568 and 1574.
Later, in 1595, during the reign of Michael the Brave, the Holy Trinity Monastery was badly damaged by Sinan Pasa's army, during its withdrawal from Bucharest.
All the buildings on the hill were set on fire then and the church was transformed into a mosque.
The same documentary source informs us that in 1615, Radu Mihnea began the restoration of the entire ensemble of the Holy Trinity Monastery, a work which, “together with the painting” was completed ten years later.
Thus, from the monastery of 1625, bearing the name of its founder, Radu Vodă, the church and the bell tower have been preserved to this day.
It was painted again in 1714 and the porch was added to it.
After the earthquakes of 1790, 1793, 1794 and 1802 other repairs followed. It was restored in 1804 by the Hegumen Ignație Iviritorul from the Ivir Monastery, located on Mount Athos.
Another earthquake, in 1838, caused great damage. Important repairs were carried out between 1859 and 1864.
The wooden towers were then rebuilt, and they were covered with sheet metal, the porch (which still exists today) was restored, but some cells and the chapel were torn down.
During 1969 - 1974, extensive restoration work was carried out, at the initiative of Patriarch Justinian Marina.
The painting was completely redone by painters Sofian Boghiu, Vasile Caraman and Gheorghe Ciobanu.
An interesting aspect is that on the same hill we find the Church of Bucur the Shepherd (dedicated to St. Athanasius and Chiril Church) which functioned as a funeral chapel for the monks of the Radu Vodă monastery.
Around 1870, it was separated from its courtyard, by cutting the Radu Vodă street - now there are two distinct hills.
At Radu Vodă Monastery we also find the relics of Saint Nectarios (Nectarie), and because of this the place is one of the most sought after by pilgrims.
The climb to the church itself, similar to the one on the Hill of the Patriarchate, but shorter, gives a special feeling to the believer, who can imagine that he climbs a small Golgotha.
About Saint Nectarios it is said: “living like an angel in the body, and loving the incessant prayer, silence, humility, fasting and mercy, the Holy Nectarios drew many to Christ, spilling out around him peace, joy and uncreated light of the Holy Spirit, with which he comforted and rested all who came to his cell. “(doxologia.ro)
Another interesting record is that of Paul of Aleppo, preserved in “The Travels of Patriarch Macarie”. It describes the Radu Vodă Monastery as being situated on the outskirts of the city, on a higher place, surrounded by a river and standing water.
He also mentions that during the growth of the water the place could only be reached by using a wooden bridge.
The traveler also says that: “it is a great building, with a very pleasant view.
Its church is large and spacious, with harmonious lines, highly ornamented and entirely covered with paintings.”
We learn from the same documentary source made public by the monastery that Saint Nectarios is “one of the newest saints canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the last century.
He was born in 1846, in the Thracian Silivria, near Constantinople, from poor but very godly parents.
At the baptism he receives the name of Anastasie, and from a young age he was given a good quality Christian education.
After the first years of school, Anastasie is sent to learn further in Constantinople, where he studies Theology and writings of the Holy Fathers.
Here, his soul begins to discover Christ in his heart, through prayer, through reading the holy books and thinking about the divine.”
inside Radu Vodă - Holy Trinity Monastery Apr2024 (24)
he monastery of Radu Vodă has the consecrations of the Holy Trinity and the Saint Hierarch Nectarios of Aegina.
It was founded by Voivod Alexander II Mircea (1568-1577) and his lady, Ecaterina, to thank God that He gave him the victory in the battle he carried on these lands, against Vintilă-Vornicul and Dumbravă-Vornicul.
“The architectural plan and forms of the Radu Vodă church are inspired by the Episcopal church at Curtea de Argeş, the difference being that the building material is not stone, but brick.
The plan is a triconch, with a tower on the nave, and with an enlarged narthex, with three towers above it.
The main of the three towers rests on twelve columns, symbolizing the twelve apostles, similar to the model from Curtea of Argeş”
as we learn from the presentation page of the Monastery.
The personality of the place is emphasized as well by the fact that it is located on a hill, so that it looks like a Christian fortress, and the high communist blocks of flats around it do nothing but protect it from the inclement weather.
Located only ten-minute walk away from Unirii Square, the settlement is easily accessible to those who want to cross its threshold.
The construction date is controversial and it fluctuates between 1568 and 1574.
Later, in 1595, during the reign of Michael the Brave, the Holy Trinity Monastery was badly damaged by Sinan Pasa's army, during its withdrawal from Bucharest.
All the buildings on the hill were set on fire then and the church was transformed into a mosque.
The same documentary source informs us that in 1615, Radu Mihnea began the restoration of the entire ensemble of the Holy Trinity Monastery, a work which, “together with the painting” was completed ten years later.
Thus, from the monastery of 1625, bearing the name of its founder, Radu Vodă, the church and the bell tower have been preserved to this day.
It was painted again in 1714 and the porch was added to it.
After the earthquakes of 1790, 1793, 1794 and 1802 other repairs followed. It was restored in 1804 by the Hegumen Ignație Iviritorul from the Ivir Monastery, located on Mount Athos.
Another earthquake, in 1838, caused great damage. Important repairs were carried out between 1859 and 1864.
The wooden towers were then rebuilt, and they were covered with sheet metal, the porch (which still exists today) was restored, but some cells and the chapel were torn down.
During 1969 - 1974, extensive restoration work was carried out, at the initiative of Patriarch Justinian Marina.
The painting was completely redone by painters Sofian Boghiu, Vasile Caraman and Gheorghe Ciobanu.
An interesting aspect is that on the same hill we find the Church of Bucur the Shepherd (dedicated to St. Athanasius and Chiril Church) which functioned as a funeral chapel for the monks of the Radu Vodă monastery.
Around 1870, it was separated from its courtyard, by cutting the Radu Vodă street - now there are two distinct hills.
At Radu Vodă Monastery we also find the relics of Saint Nectarios (Nectarie), and because of this the place is one of the most sought after by pilgrims.
The climb to the church itself, similar to the one on the Hill of the Patriarchate, but shorter, gives a special feeling to the believer, who can imagine that he climbs a small Golgotha.
About Saint Nectarios it is said: “living like an angel in the body, and loving the incessant prayer, silence, humility, fasting and mercy, the Holy Nectarios drew many to Christ, spilling out around him peace, joy and uncreated light of the Holy Spirit, with which he comforted and rested all who came to his cell. “(doxologia.ro)
Another interesting record is that of Paul of Aleppo, preserved in “The Travels of Patriarch Macarie”. It describes the Radu Vodă Monastery as being situated on the outskirts of the city, on a higher place, surrounded by a river and standing water.
He also mentions that during the growth of the water the place could only be reached by using a wooden bridge.
The traveler also says that: “it is a great building, with a very pleasant view.
Its church is large and spacious, with harmonious lines, highly ornamented and entirely covered with paintings.”
We learn from the same documentary source made public by the monastery that Saint Nectarios is “one of the newest saints canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the last century.
He was born in 1846, in the Thracian Silivria, near Constantinople, from poor but very godly parents.
At the baptism he receives the name of Anastasie, and from a young age he was given a good quality Christian education.
After the first years of school, Anastasie is sent to learn further in Constantinople, where he studies Theology and writings of the Holy Fathers.
Here, his soul begins to discover Christ in his heart, through prayer, through reading the holy books and thinking about the divine.”