Răciula Monastery, a convent in Călărași district

Mănăstirea Răciula is an Orthodox convent in the village of Răciula, Călărași district, founded in the 18th century by the brothers Andrei and Ioan Roșca. It is best known for July 1959, when nuns and villagers resisted its closure by the Soviet regime for ten days. A monastic community has lived there again since 1989-1990.

What you see

Two churches stand on the grounds. The summer church, dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God, dates from around 1800, was rebuilt in stone in 1845 and took on its present form in 1907-1910. The winter church of Saint Nicholas dates from 1822 and was remodelled between 1855 and 1860. After the reopening both churches were restored to their original appearance. Around the churches are the nuns' living quarters, with the wooded hills of the Codri as a backdrop.

History

The Roșca brothers founded the monastery in the 18th century on the land of the free peasant Lupu Stratan. At first monks lived here; in 1811 they left and it became a skete for nuns. In 1938 it was named Oltea Doamna, after the mother of Ștefan cel Mare.

In July 1959 the Soviet regime decided to close the monastery. The nuns refused to leave. For ten days the bells rang without stopping, and villagers gathered to defend the monastery. The police ended the resistance with firearms: one believer was killed, several were injured and eight people were later imprisoned. The bell tower was demolished, and the summer church became a wedding hall and then a kolkhoz storehouse. Most of the nuns stayed on in the village, spread over different houses, and worked on the kolkhoz.

The monastery was re-established in 1989-1990. Around 2010 the community numbered about a hundred nuns.

Tips for your visit

Răciula is about 58 kilometres from Chișinău, an hour's drive. The monasteries of Hîrjauca and Hîrbovăț are close by; together they make a quiet one-day monastery route through the Codri, perhaps with Căpriana added on the way back. Dress modestly, with a skirt and headscarf for women, speak softly and ask whether you may take photos. The morning service gives the best impression of monastic life. On major church holidays many believers come from the surrounding area.