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| St.Stefan the Great |
As I light a candle for St. Stephen today for family
members and friends that share the name, memories of Moldova’s greatest warrior
and protector from the Ottoman invasions are passing by.
Prince Stefan the Great Voievod ruled Moldova region of
Romania in the XV century from April 12, 1452 to July 2, 1504.
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| Detail from one of St. Stefan the Great's battle flags |
Often I have followed his legacy through the travels in
the region, visiting the monasteries that he founded, enjoying the hospitality of the people that
love him and the traditional Moldavian food and wine that they share with the
visitors.
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| Cheese Strudel |
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| Sour Cherry Strudel |
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| Bread for greeting visitors and salt |
In 1992, Stefan the Great was canonized by the Romanian
Orthodox Church and continues to be venerated as Saint Stefan the Great, savior
of Romanian ancestral lands, hero of Christianity as he fought the invading Ottomans
and kept them from advancing in Europe.
He is buried at Putna Monastery one of Bucovina’s
medieval gems that he built after he had a vision from angels.
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| Putna Monastery Bucovina |
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| Interior Frescoes Putna Monastery |
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Ceiling Fresco Putna Monastery
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| St. Stefan the Great's Grave |
Having led a life of epic proportions, and feeling his
end was near, Stephen the Great issued on 2nd February 1503, a document of
final his will and testament, in which the privileges of Putna Monastery, from
the time of its foundations until that date were again stated and stressed:
“And after we pass away, whosoever shall rule this
country, the descendants of our children or of our kin, or anyone whom God may
choose to be the ruler of this country, Moldova, he shall not disobey our
legacy and command, but will strengthen it and make it stand.”
Voyages of Discovery
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