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The Sinaia Monastery, located in Sinaia, in Prahova County, Romania, was founded by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino in 1695 and named after the great Sinai Monastery on Mount Sinai. As of 2005, it is inhabited by 13 Christian Orthodox monks led by hegumen Macarie Bogus. It is part of the Bucharest archdiocese.

Overview

Situated in the Prahova Valley, the monastery gave its name to the nearby town of Sinaia. The monastery consists of two courtyards surrounded by low buildings. In the centre of each courtyard there is a small church built in the Byzantine style. One of them - "Biserica Veche" (The Old Church) - dates from 1695, while the more recent "Biserica Mare" (The Great Church) was built in 1846.

The monks possess a library that is a repository for valuable jewels belonging to the Cantacuzino family, as well as the earliest Romanian translation of the Bible, dated 1668.

Take Ionescu, former Prime Minister of Romania, is buried on the grounds.

History

Prince (Spătarul) Mihail Cantacuzino founded the monastery upon his return from a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. The first buildings were completed between 1690 to 1695. It was designed to serve as a monastery as well as a fortified stronghold on the route from Brasov to Bucharest.

The initial plan was for the monastery to hold 12 monks, to imitate the Twelve Apostles, but in time the number of monks grew.

In the midst of the Russo–Turkish War, 1735–1739, before deserting the monastery, monks hid the valuables by burying them inside a bell. During a battle, the Turks defeated troops stationed within the walls of the monastery. The Ottomans burned the area and broke through the wall in two places.

Until 1850, Sinaia consisted of little more than the monastery and a group of huts. In 1864, however, the monastic estate was assigned to the Board of Civil Hospitals (Eforia Spitalelor Civile), which opened a hospital and several baths, and helped develop mineral springs in Sinaia.

In 1948, the monastery was put under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Bucharest from the Board of Civil Hospitals. The Romanian Patriarch, Justinian Marina, restored the buildings between the years 1951 and 1957 with money from the Archdiocese. During this period, the whole monastery was fitted with running water, electricity, and natural gas. Thanks to the efforts of King Carol I, the Great Church of the monastery has become the first church to use electric lights in Romania.

The Old Church

The Old Church was built in 1695. In 2006, it was closed to begin a restoration project to return it to its former beauty. The original interior painting was completed by Pârvu Mutu and were restored for the first time in 1795.

The Great Church

Under the leadership of Hegumens Ioasaf and Paisie, construction of The Great Church began in 1842 using funds allocated by the monastery and was completed in 1846. This smaller structure was enlarged by the Board of Civil Hospitals during a period from 1897 to 1903. These efforts gave the building the appearance it has today.

The current appearance

Created by architect George Mandrea, the structure utilizes the Moldavian style and the Brâncovenesc style from Walachia. It is said that the belt of three green enamel lines that encircle the building represent the unity of the Holy Trinity in one God and the unity of the Three Romanian Kingdoms in one country.

The paintings

The gold mosaic paintings were created by Danish artist Aage Exner in a typical neo-Byzantine style,. The main illustrations show five persons:

Iosif Gheorghian mitropolit primat - he re-opened the building in 1903
Carol I of Romania - shown dressed as an officer, with his right hand upon a rock pillar with a missing piece. This symbolizes the missing Romanian territories at that time
Elisabeth of Wied - Queen consort of Romania, known in the literary world as Carmen Sylva
Princess Maria of Romania - Queen Elisabeta's only child, who died at an early age
Mihail Cantacuzino - the builder of the Old Church

The furniture

The furniture was made of wood (sycamore, maple, and oak) by Constantin Babic and his students at the Bucharest Art School (Ṣcoala de Arte si Meserii). The King's throne displays the royal emblem and the motto Nihil sine Deo (Nothing without God). The Queen's throne is embossed with the letters E.D..^[1] Both thrones are gold-plated.

The two Russian icons, of Saint Serghei and Saint Nicholas, were a gift from Tzar Nicholas II of Russia in 1903. They were presented to the Hegumen Nifon Arhimandritul for the baptism of Prince Nicholae, son of King Ferdinand.

A remarkable piece adorning the monastery is the epitaphios by Anna Roth, made of silk and gold on a cotton base. It took three years (from 1897 to 1900) to finish.

The bell tower

During the leadership of Hegumen Nifon Popescu (1888-1909), a large bell tower was added to the monastery walls. It was completed in 1892. The 1,700-kilogram (3,700 lb) was brought from the Colţea Tower in Bucharest.

The museum

In celebrating its bicentennial, the Old Church opened the Museum of the Monastery. This is the first exhibition of church objects in Romania.^[1]

Location

The monastery can be reached by train as Sinaia railway station is just 'downstairs' from the monastery. It is also accessible by road.

References

^ ^a ^b ,"Welcome to Romania website",2005-2011,"[1]", accessed: 14 January 2011

Roads to Monasteries by Mihai Vlasie ISBN 973-7740-51-3

External links

Gallery

Beautiful ornament of the monastery windows
The Entrance to the Great Church of the Sinaia Monastery
Details of the pillars at the entrance of the Great Church of the Sinaia Monastery
Details of the pillars at the entrance of the Great Church of the Sinaia Monastery
The Back Entrance to the Great Church of the Sinaia Monastery
The Museum of the Sinaia Monastery
A grave next to the Great Church of the Sinaia Monastery
Detail of the entrance door to the old church of the Sinaia Monastery
Window to the Old Church of the Sinaia Monastery

45°21′00″N 25°33′05″E / 45.35000001°N 25.5513888989°E / 45.35000001; 25.5513888989

[welcometoromania-1] ,"Welcome to Romania website",2005-2011,"[1]", accessed: 14 January 2011

[1]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[File:Sinaia monastery - the Great Church.jpg|thumb|300px|<center>The Church of the Sinaia Monastery</center>]]
-The '''Sinaia Monastery''' was founded by Prince Mihai Cantacuzino in 1695 and named after the great Sinai Monastery on Mount Sinai. As of 2005 it is inhabited by 13 Christian Orthodox monks led by [[hegumen]] [[Macarie Bogus]]. It belongs to the archdiocese of [[Bucharest]].
+The '''Sinaia Monastery''', located in [[Sinaia]], in [[Prahova County]], [[Romania]], was founded by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino in 1695 and named after the great [[Sinai Monastery]] on [[Mount Sinai]]. As of 2005, it is inhabited by 13 Christian Orthodox monks led by [[hegumen]] Macarie Bogus. It is part of the [[Bucharest]] archdiocese.
 ==Overview==
-Situated in the [[Prahova Valley]], the monastery has given its name to the dwellings nearby. Those few houses have turned into the town of [[Sinaia]], in [[Prahova County]], [[Romania]].
+Situated in the [[Prahova Valley]], the monastery gave its name to the nearby town of Sinaia. The monastery consists of two courtyards surrounded by low buildings. In the centre of each courtyard there is a small church built in the [[Byzantine style]]. One of them - "Biserica Veche" (The Old Church) - dates from 1695, while the more recent "Biserica Mare" (The Great Church) was built in 1846.
+The monks possess a library that is a repository for valuable jewels belonging to the [[Cantacuzino family]], as well as the earliest [[Romanian language|Romanian]] translation of the [[Bible]], dated 1668.
-The monastery consists of two courtyards surrounded by low buildings. In the centre of each courtyard there is a small church built in the [[Byzantine style]]. One of them - "Biserica Veche" (The Old Church) - dates from 1695, while the more recent "Biserica Mare" (The Great Church) was built in 1846.
-The monks possess a library that constitutes a repository for valuable jewels belonging to the [[Cantacuzino family]], as well as the earliest [[Romanian language|Romanian]] translation of the [[Bible]], dated 1668.
 [[Take Ionescu]], former Prime Minister of Romania, is buried on the grounds.
 ==History==
-Prince (Spătarul) [[Mihail Cantacuzino]] founded the monastery upon his return from a pilgrimage to [[Mount Sinai]]. It took five years to complete the first buildings from 1690 to 1695. It was supposed to serve as a monastery as well as a fortified stronghold on the way from [[Brasov]] to Bucharest.
+Prince (Spătarul) Mihail Cantacuzino founded the monastery upon his return from a pilgrimage to [[Mount Sinai]]. The first buildings were completed between 1690 to 1695. It was designed to serve as a monastery as well as a fortified stronghold on the route from [[Brasov]] to [[Bucharest]].
 The initial plan was for the monastery to hold 12 monks, to imitate the [[Twelve Apostles]], but in time the number of monks grew.
-In the midst of the [[Russo–Turkish War, 1735–1739]], before deserting the monastery, monks hid the valuables by burying them inside a bell. During a battle, the Turks defeated troops stationed within the walls of the monastery. The Ottomans burned the area and broke the wall in two places.
+In the midst of the [[Russo–Turkish War, 1735–1739]], before deserting the monastery, monks hid the valuables by burying them inside a bell. During a battle, the Turks defeated troops stationed within the walls of the monastery. The Ottomans burned the area and broke through the wall in two places.
-Until 1850, [[Sinaia]] consisted of little more than the monastery and a group of huts. In 1864, however, the monastic estate was assigned to the Board of Civil Hospitals (''[[Eforia Spitalelor Civile]]''), which opened a hospital, several [[Mineral spa|baths]], and helped develop [[mineral spring|mineral springs]] in Sinaia.
+Until 1850, [[Sinaia]] consisted of little more than the monastery and a group of huts. In 1864, however, the monastic estate was assigned to the Board of Civil Hospitals (''[[Eforia Spitalelor Civile]]''), which opened a hospital and several [[Mineral spa|baths]], and helped develop [[mineral spring|mineral springs]] in Sinaia.
-In 1948 the monastery was put under the patronage of the [[Diocese|Archdiocese]] of [[Bucharest]] from the Board of Civil Hospitals. The Romanian Patriach, [[Justinian Marina]], then restored the buildings between the years 1951 and 1957 with money from the Archdiocese. During this period, the whole monastery was fitted with running water, electricity and natural gas. Thanks to the efforts of King Carol I, the '''Great Church''' of the monastery has become the first church to use electric lights in Romania.
+In 1948, the monastery was put under the patronage of the [[Diocese|Archdiocese]] of Bucharest from the Board of Civil Hospitals. The [[Patriarch of All Romania|Romanian Patriarch]], [[Justinian Marina]], restored the buildings between the years 1951 and 1957 with money from the Archdiocese. During this period, the whole monastery was fitted with running water, electricity, and natural gas. Thanks to the efforts of [[King Carol I]], the Great Church of the monastery has become the first church to use electric lights in Romania.
 ==The Old Church==
-[[Image:Usa vechii biserici Sinaia.JPG|thumb|right|The Entrance door of the Old Church of the Sinaia Monastery]]
+[[Image:Usa vechii biserici Sinaia.JPG|thumb|The entrance door of the Old Church of the Sinaia Monastery]]
-'''The Old Church''' was built in 1695. In 2006 it was closed to begin a restoration project to return it to its former beauty. The original interior painting was completed by [[Pârvu Mutul|Pârvu Mutu]] and had been restored for the first time in 1795.
+'''The Old Church''' was built in 1695. In 2006, it was closed to begin a restoration project to return it to its former beauty. The original interior painting was completed by [[Pârvu Mutul|Pârvu Mutu]] and were restored for the first time in 1795.
 ==The Great Church==
@@ Line 32: / Line 30: @@
 === The current appearance ===
-Created by architect [[George Mandrea]], the structure utilized the [[Romanian architecture#Modern styles|Moldavian style]] with thick walls and the [[Brâncovenesc style]] from [[Walachia]]. It is said that the belt of three green enamel lines that encircle the building represent the unity of the [[Holy Trinity]] in one God and the unity of the Three Romanian Kingdoms in one country.
+Created by architect [[George Mandrea]], the structure utilizes the [[Romanian architecture#Modern styles|Moldavian style]] and the [[Brâncovenesc style]] from [[Walachia]]. It is said that the belt of three green enamel lines that encircle the building represent the unity of the [[Holy Trinity]] in one God and the unity of the [[Kingdom of Romania|Three Romanian Kingdoms]] in one country.
 === The paintings ===
-Typical for the neo-byzantine style, the gold mosaic paintings were created by Danish artist, [[Aage Exner]]. The main illustrations show five persons:
+The gold mosaic paintings were created by Danish artist [[Aage Exner]] in a typical neo-Byzantine style,. The main illustrations show five persons:
-* [[Iosif Gheorghian]] ''mitropolit primat'' - he re-opened the building in 1903.
+* [[Iosif Gheorghian]] ''mitropolit primat'' - he re-opened the building in 1903
-* [[Carol I of Romania|King Carol I]] - dressed as an officer and with his right hand upon a rock pillar with a missing piece. This symbolized the missing Romanian territories at that time.
+* [[Carol I of Romania]] - shown dressed as an officer, with his right hand upon a rock pillar with a missing piece. This symbolizes the missing Romanian territories at that time
-* [[Elisabeth of Wied|Queen Elisabeta]] - Queen consort of Romania and known in the literary world as Carmen Sylva
+* [[Elisabeth of Wied]] - Queen consort of Romania, known in the literary world as Carmen Sylva
-* [[Princess Maria of Romania (1870-1874)|Princess Maria]] - Queen Elisabeta's only child who died at an early age
+* [[Princess Maria of Romania (1870-1874)|Princess Maria of Romania]] - Queen Elisabeta's only child, who died at an early age
-* Mihail Cantacuzino - the builder of the '''Old Church'''
+* Mihail Cantacuzino - the builder of the Old Church
 ===The furniture===
-The furniture is made from wood (sycamore maple and oak) by Constantin Babic and his students at the Bucharest Art School (''Ṣcoala de Arte si Meserii''). The King's throne has the royal emblem and the writing ''Nihil sine Deo'' (Nothing without God). The Queen's throne has the letters E.D. embossed.<ref name=welcometoromania>,"Welcome to Romania website",2005-2011,"[http://www.welcometoromania.ro/Sinaia/Sinaia_Manastirea_e.htm]", accessed: 14 January 2011</ref> Both thrones are gold-plated.
+The furniture was made of wood (sycamore, maple, and oak) by Constantin Babic and his students at the Bucharest Art School (''Ṣcoala de Arte si Meserii''). The King's throne displays the royal emblem and the motto ''Nihil sine Deo'' (Nothing without God). The Queen's throne is embossed with the letters E.D..<ref name=welcometoromania>,"Welcome to Romania website",2005-2011,"[http://www.welcometoromania.ro/Sinaia/Sinaia_Manastirea_e.htm]", accessed: 14 January 2011</ref> Both thrones are gold-plated.
-The two Russian icons, of [[Saint Serghei]] and [[Saint nicholas|Saint Nicholas]], are a gift from [[Tzar Nicholas II|Tzar Nicholas II of Russia]] given in 1903 to the Hegumen Nifon Arhimandritul for the baptism of [[Prince Nicholas of Romania|Prince Nicholae]], son of [[Ferdinand I of Romania|King Ferdinand]].
+The two Russian icons, of [[Saint Serghei]] and [[Saint nicholas|Saint Nicholas]], were a gift from [[Tzar Nicholas II|Tzar Nicholas II of Russia]] in 1903. They were presented to the Hegumen Nifon Arhimandritul for the baptism of [[Prince Nicholas of Romania|Prince Nicholae]], son of [[Ferdinand I of Romania|King Ferdinand]].
-A remarkable piece adorning the monastery is the [[Epitaphios (liturgical)|epitaphios]] made of silk and gold on a cotton base by Anna Roth, taking three years from 1897 to 1900 to finish it.
+A remarkable piece adorning the monastery is the [[Epitaphios (liturgical)|epitaphios]] by Anna Roth, made of silk and gold on a cotton base. It took three years (from 1897 to 1900) to finish.
-==The Bell Tower==
+==The bell tower==
 [[Image:Clopotnita manastirii Sinaia.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Bell Tower]] as seen from within the walls of the Sinaia Monastery]]
-During the leadership of Hegumen [[Nifon Popescu]] (1888-1909) , a large bell tower was added to the monastery walls and completed in 1892. The bell within weighs 1700kg and was brought from the Colţea Tower in Bucharest.
+During the leadership of Hegumen [[Nifon Popescu]] (1888-1909), a large bell tower was added to the monastery walls. It was completed in 1892. The {{convert|1700|kg|adj=on}} was brought from the [[Turnul Colţei|Colţea Tower]] in Bucharest.
-==The Museum==
+==The museum==
-In celebrating its bicentennial, the '''Old Church''' opened the ''Museum of the Monastery''. This is the first exhibition of church objects in Romania.<ref name=welcometoromania />
+In celebrating its bicentennial, the Old Church opened the Museum of the Monastery. This is the first exhibition of church objects in Romania.<ref name=welcometoromania />
 ==Location==
-The monastery can be reached by train as [[Sinaia train station|Sinaia railway station]] is just 'downstairs' from the monastery. It is also accessible by road as there is a way right up in front of the main gate.
+The monastery can be reached by train as [[Sinaia train station|Sinaia railway station]] is just 'downstairs' from the monastery. It is also accessible by road.
 ==See also==
 *[[Eastern Orthodox Church]]
-*[[Sinai Monastery]]
-*[[Mount Sinai]]
-*[[Sinaia|The Town of Sinaia]]
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-*Roads to Monasteries by Mihai Vlasie ISBN 973-7740-51-3
+*''Roads to Monasteries'' by Mihai Vlasie ISBN 973-7740-51-3
 ==External links==