Vâlcea, Romania, February 5, 2021
Photo: arhiepiscopiaramnicului.ro
Regular services have begun again in the church at Berislăveşti Monastery in Vâlcea, Romania, after 21 years. Previously, services were held only occasionally because of the danger of the collapse of the building, reports the Archdiocese of Râmnicu.
Extensive restoration and conservation work on the historical ensemble began in 2015, which allowed for the reopening of the church. And after 6 years, the church iconography was blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Varsanufie on the feast of the 3 Holy Hierarchs on January 30.
“The spiritual and cultural dowry of this church has created a real bridge between the work of the founders and the current generation, which has witnessed the restoration of this place of worship. The painting of this church, done at the end of the 18th century, represents the confession of the right faith expressed in color,” Abp. Varsanufie said at the end of the blessing service.
Photo: arhiepiscopiaramnicului.ro
The monastery dates to the mid-18th century. Over the years, it has suffered from fire, several earthquakes, and bombings during both World Wars. Beginning in July 2018, a layer of iconography from the second half of the 19th century was removed, as it stylistically departed from the norms of Byzantine and post-Byzantine iconography. The work begun in 2015 is still underway, but the building no longer poses a risk.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop preached about the virtues of the 3 Holy Hierarchs who “are the faces of holiness, who through all their work and intercessions before the Most Holy Trinity have become the protectors of churches and numerous educational institutions and social movements whose activity was inspired by the model of their ministry.”
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