Manastirea Radu Voda - Radu Voda Monastery
Radu Voda Monastery
In the third quarter of the 16th century, the church of the monastery commenced to be built by Alexandru Mircea who was the Voivode of Walachia. The church was constructed on a hillock that was situated in the immediate vicinity of the Dambovita River - right on the spot where another religious establishment had formerly existed.
The Voivode's son, Alexandru Mircea II Voivode (who reigned between 1568 and 1577), had several monastic cells erected around the monastery, as well as a guesthouse that was particularly designed for accommodating the messengers and the pilgrims who were coming from foreign countries.
Under Mihnea Turcitul Voivode (who reigned between 1577 and 1583 and between 1585 and 1591) the construction of the monastic establishment was completed.
The Voivode also donated lands, watermills, vineyards, as well as liturgical objects and sacerdotal attire to the holy establishment.
During the period when Archimandrite Mardarie was the abbot of the monastery; the establishment flourished and became a prominent centre of culture. As a consequence, the first library of Bucharest was set up here.
Unfortunately, in 1595, after having been defeated at Calugareni, Sinan Pasha and his army invaded the monastery, and turned it into his headquarters. When the Turks were forced to retreat from the premises, they blew up the entire monastic complex, leaving only ashes behind.
Around 1613, Radu Voda Mihnea Voivode (who reined between 1611 and 1616) had the holy establishment reconstructed on its former foundations - which explains why the monastery bears his name. In 1614, the Voivode placed it under the protection on the Ivir Monastery, which is situated on the Holy Mount Athos, but on account of the incompetent administration of the Greek father egumens, the monastic complex fell into ruin. In the long run, it was under Radu Voda Mihnea's own sun, Alexandru Coconul Voivode (who reigned between 1623 and 1627), that the restoration of the monastery was finally accomplished. Due to his persevering efforts, the painting of the church was executed in 1625.
After 1626, the monastery served as a princely residence for a while, and was consequently visited by several renowned personalities of the Orthodox Church, such as: Patriarch Macarius of Antioch, and his personal secretary, Paul of Alep, as well as Patriarch Dionysius of Constantinople and Patriarch Gerasimos of Alexandria. All of them described the beauty of the Radu Voda Monastery with a great admiration.
The earthquakes in 1860 and 1878 caused widespread damage to this religious edifice. Extensive repairs and restoration activities were carried out between 1860 and 1863; in this period the painter Constantin Lecca (who was the master of the famous Romanian painter Theodor Aman) repainted the interior of the church.
Between 1839 and 1847, the Metropolitan Seminary was removed to the monastery grounds, whereas in the autumn of 1847, the French College was also removed to the monastery precincts.
In 1875, Titu Maiorescu, Cabinet Minister of Religious Affairs, ordered the demolition of the old Radu Voda monastic complex, with the exception of the belfry tower, of the church, and of the monastic cells.
Between 1959 and 1963 the monastery has been closed. The Patriarch Justinian refunded the holy establishment in 1963. He reconstructed the old monastery, ordering that extensive repairs and renovation activities involving the entire establishment should be carried out. The church towers underwent complex renovation works and the paintings were reconditioned.
Also, the Patriarch Justinian chose to be laid to rest in this monastic establishment. The Patriarch Teoctist reactivated the monastic life of the holy establishment in 1998.
The monastery shelters the holy relics of Saint Nectarius the Thaumaturge of the Egina Island, the protector of the monastic establishment, which are worshipped by the devout faithful of Bucharest.
Adresa: Str. Radu Voda, nr. 24 A, sector 4, cod 75102
Localitate: Bucuresti
Zona: Muntenia
manastirearaduvoda.ro
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