The Annunciation Monastery

 

The Annunciation Monastery was built by the Romanian Army in 1936, which in the interwar period raised many orthodox churches for the Romanians living in areas heavily Magyarized.

During the years 1998-2007, were conducted following works:

- inside, the church was refurbished and painted in tempera, was decorated with iconostasis of linden wood, oak furniture, chandelier, hardwood floors and central heating;

- outside, were executed underpinning and consolidation works, the walls were refurbished and the whole church was covered with aluminum sheet. It has also been equipped with all the necessary items for holding the service. In the courtyard of the monastery, was built the summer shrine (with a small chapel at the basement), cells and a building for social assistance.

Visit to the Holy Cross Monastery

Holy Cross Monastery

The Holy Cross Monastery was founded in 1992, thanks to the initiative of the Abbess Mina and with the blessing of His Holiness Vasile Coman (the Orthodox Bishop of Oradea). The Monastery is located approximately two kilometers away from Oradea, in a place where before that time there was no settlement. In this barren place, rises today, from faith, for believers, a real treasure of Transylvania - a true monastic complex.

At that time, the only building of the monastery was a house with about a century old, that later became the library and the museum of the monastery. In 1993 is brought here the first church of the monastery - a wooden church dating from the early eighteenth century, ranked today among the historical monuments. The wooden church was brought from Corbeşti village, Bihor County, in an advanced state of degradation, but they have managed to reconstitute so that regained its former brilliance. Within a few years the monastery community increased impressively, currently counting 75 nuns which are coordinated by the Mother Superior Stavrofora Mina Bădilă and by the father confessor Protosinghel Atanasie Paleu.

1994 was the moment when was laid the foundation stone of the main church which is under the patronage of "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary". This church is unique in Transylvania because of its exterior painting which reminds us of the churches of northern Moldavia (this habit of exterior painting was lost no longer after the death of the great ruler Stephan the Great). The church, built in triconch plan, has murals both inside and outside with Byzantine painting, being used the most natural colors. Built in a wonderful Moldavian style, the church raised from a lot of love from God and the relentless toil of goodwill monastery community and lovers of holy believers. Every square inch of the exterior walls has something to transmit to believers. Different moments in Saints are played in the smallest detail being a real delight for the eyes and a joy for the Christian soul.

Although it is a relatively new founded monastery it has already several workshops, such as a tailor and embroidery workshop (where is carried out various models of priestly garments), and another of painting (where Byzantine icons are painted on canvas and wood).

                 

Visit to the St. Andrew the Apostle Orthodox Church

St. Andrew the Apostle Orthodox Church

The church was conceived from the beginning as Orthodox, with architectural elements and details inspired by the famous Byzantine prototypes: St. Sophia and Chora from Constantinople. If in the basement chapel is found the humility of the Christian Church, in the church itself is obvious the glory of Orthodoxy. The exterior is built of clinker brick, specially brought from Austria, is covered with cooper sheet, it has insulated oak-laminated windows, and on the facade of the "bell tower" was executed a mosaic icon (12 sqm) depicting St Andrew, the patron of the church. The pedestal carried out of Băiţa stone with ventilation niches is protected by wrought iron latticework. The stairs are covered with special brick. In the steeple were placed three bells of 750, 350 and 170 kg that are electrically operated. The interior complies with the ordinances of Orthodox canons: the interior painting is in progress where is used the technique of "al fresco" with Byzantine ornamentation; the painted dome was gilded with pure gold leaf.

The iconostasis is carved in marble, the royal doors are in bronze and the icons are painted on linden wood. The floor is made ​​of granite, in two nuances. The candelabrum with the other chandeliers are in bonze, made in Greece, like all the liturgical objects. From custody of P.S. John, the church was blessed by P.S. Justin Sigheteanul and P.S. Petroniu Sălăjanul on 30 November 2006, and is dedicated to "Romanian Saints".

The chapel is located in the basement of the church, and is built in a "catacomb" style that recalls the early Christian period. The interior is built in burnt brick, embroidered with Byzantine arches and vaults with well defined spaces, and the floor was paved with slabs of scorched earth, protected by a coat of linseed oil. The iconostasis is also built of brick, with marble ornaments.

Under the church stairs (21 steps), was set a Byzantine hall for Parish Council meetings and Christian gatherings. Besides those mentioned above, in this room works the "Sunday kindergarten" for all the preschool children. More benevolent educators, carries out religious educational activities after a well-established curriculum. The parents bring their children to the "nursery" where they learn prayers, religious songs, draw and paint religious scenes while listening to Mass, and at the right time in an organized manner are brought to church for the communion.

Visit to "St. Nicholas" Greek Catholic Cathedral - information program within Eurovacanta Guide Club

"St. Nicholas" Greek Catholic Cathedral 

History

1744 - is constituted a chapel for the Romanians which were united with Rome by Pál Forgács vicar. He donates his house to build this chapel.

1776-1777 - Maria Theresa ordered the establishment of a Greek Catholic diocese, which will be recognized by the Pope in June 1777. The first bishop was Moses Dragos.

1800 - starts the church construction of St. Nicholas on the former chapel under the direction of Bishop Ignatie Darabant. Works lasted until 1810.

1836 - the Church was already finished and endowed with all the necessary and was sanctified by Bishop Samuil Vulcan.

1836 (June) - occurred the worst fire that ravaged half of Oradea during which the Church roof and steeple burned. The temperature was so high that melted the bells. Bishop Samuil Vulcan was so emotionally shaken that he never recovered and died with this pain in his soul in 1839. By 1870 the edifice was rebuilt and restored by Vasile Erdeli şi Iosif Pop-Sălăjanul bishops.

1892 - Bishop Michael Paul hires the famous painter Szirmai from Budapest to decorate the church.

1907 - an unusually strong wind tipped the golden cross from the top of tower. During the repair work, the bell tower catch fire and destroy all the wooden skeleton steeple. As a result Bishop Demetriu Radu hires the architect Giovanni Quai, which restores the steeple as today. He also designs and executes the Holy Shrine, the Table of oblation and the kliros of the choir (1924) with a capacity of 200 people under the guidance of Bishop Valeriu Traian Frenţiu.

1948-2005 - the church was preached by the Orthodox, during which they performed several repairs in the care of Orthodox bishops Valerian Zaharia, Vasile Coman and Ioan Mihălţan.

Description

External dimensions: 64 m long, 22 m wide, 60 m tower height.

The construction type is nave with apses and the architectural style is late baroque. The iconostasis is also baroque, has 41 icons arranged in six registers and is covered with gold leaf.

The church has vaulted semi-cylindrical in cross cradle and a large choir balcony.

The painting is dominated by an azure blue and the interior is distinguished by the outstanding frescoes, such as the Holy Trinity, Christ among children and the Sermon on the Mount.

The Cathedral has late baroque and classical influences, while the structure is specific to the Western Catholic place of worship.

Noteworthy would be to mention the gift offered by Empress Maria Theresa to the Church, namely two decorative elements on which are painted his son and her portrait, that can be seen to this days in the interior. 

Images inside the church

Visit to the Church with Moon - information program within Eurovacanta Guide Club

The Church with Moon under the patronage of 

"The Assumption of the Virgin Mary"

 History

1743 - Orthodox Romanians established the first Orthodox religious community in Oradea and they arrange a chapel in the house of Michael Kristoff (he was a very known Macedo-Romanian lawyer at that time) on the Peta Street. Until this date, the only Orthodox Church from Oradea was located in Velenta neighborhood, which was far and was inaccessible during raining periods from this part of the town.

1754,1760,1773 - Orthodox believers (Romanian, Serbian and Macedonian) took steps and wrote petitions to the imperial commission to approve the construction of an Orthodox church in the city, but they were every time denied.

1781 - the Emperor Joseph II gives the edict of tolerance that allows them to express freely their  Orthodox worship.

1782, 1783 - Oradea believers draw other petitions for approving the construction of the Orthodox church.

1784 - Michael Püspöki and Michael Kristoff lawyers receive the approval for the building of the church directly from the Emperor of Vienna.

1784 (the 9^th  of November ) - Bishop of Arad, Peter Petrovici laid the foundation stone of the Church with Moon accompanied by a large group of priests and believers.

1784-1790 - the church was constituted according to the plans of the Viennese architect Iacob Ederpe. The Place of the church was donated by Samoila Horvat.

1786 - the arch of the church collapse (dies a mason and other six are injured).

1790 (the 17^th of November) - the Church is officiating his fist service.

1792 - is installed  the first bell (still existing today) and the other three, that will be molten in  the First World War by the Austro-Hungarian army.

1793 - is installed the horologe and the moon, which were built  by George Rueppe, a famous Viennesse watchmaker.

1816 - Alexander and Arsenie Teodorovici from Novi Sad began the interior painting. Other contributors to the painting were Pavel Ghiucovici, Iacob Gölsz and Paul Murgu. Today, from the original painting is kept only the icons placed on the iconostasis, the Bishop See, the pulpit and the two pews. It it's still preserved on the vaulted arch above the iconostasis the image of Horia (as a tribute in the honor of the Revolution that started with the building of the church).

1832 (the 11^th of May) - the Church with Moon was sanctified by Bishop Maxim Manuilovici from Vârşeţ.

1836 (June) - the Church was saved by a great fire that burned up almost all the left side of the Cris river. The legend says that after that fire were seen three white doves flying around the church tower. After this event the shingle roof was replaced with sheet iron.

1919 (the 20^th of April) - the Romanian army was greeted with bread and salt in front of the Church with Moon by the Roman Ciorogariu future Bishop, as a tribute to the fact that the city was eliberated.

1970 - George Costa and Dimitrie Vasu Macedonian merchants donates the holy shrine made of white marble.

1973-1979 - was restored the painting by the painter Eremia Profeta from Bucharest.

1983-1984 - the sculptor Stephen John Gajo and other collaborators have made the three chandeliers.

Description

External dimensions: 37.8 m long, 16.6 m wide, 19 m high and 55 m tower hight.

The architectural style is baroque with neoclassical elements. The construction type is nave with apses and respects the canons of the Byzantine architecture: shrine, nave, narthex and church porch.

The shrine has double walls between which there is a wide corridor of 0.95 m and 4.73 m high. The church has only one arch that rests on three pairs of pillars and the tower rests on four pillars.

The iconostasis is made also in late Baroque style with four registers, contains 45 icons and is gilded with golf leaf to a large extent.

Images inside the church