Bucharest, April 3, 2020
Photo: pravoslavie.ru
Given that its exhibitions are closed until the coronavirus quarantine regime is lifted, the Museum of Bucharest has launched an online Cinema Museum, with free access to 9 archival documentary films, reports the Basilica News Agency.
Among the videos is one on the reburial of St. Constantin Brâncoveanu, the Prince of Wallachia from 1688 to 1714, and another that includes information on the Văcăreşti Monastery in Bucharest.
The reburial ceremony for St. Constantine, a great ruler and defender of Christianity, took place on May 21, 1934 at the Patriarchate.
The service was attended by King Carol II and the entire Royal House of Romania, including Grand Voievod Michael I and Prince Nicholas, and Patriarch Miron Cristea and other Romanian hierarchs.
St. Constantine ruled Wallachia beginning in 1688. He was a benefactor of many monasteries and churches and cared for the spiritual enlightenment of his people, and the development of printing. He also sought union with Orthodox Russia. In 1714, he was summoned to Constantinople by the sultan, where he was tortured to death for refusing to convert to Islam. His four sons Constantine, Stephan, Radu, Matthew and his counsellor Ianache were also martyred with him.
They were canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church on June 19, 1992.
Another film takes the view on a journey down Văcăreşti Path in Bucharest, which begins at Văcăreşti Monastery, in the middle of the 20th century.
The monastery was built between 1716 and 1722, and demolished by order of Nicolae Ceauşescu in 1985.
Thus, the aerial images of the settlement and the interiors of the two churches make this video one of the most complete and valuable records ever made at Văcăreşti.
