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).