Remembering The Departed...A Tradition That Remains Vibrant "Mosii De Iarna"

Offerings For The Departed

Every year, on the Saturday before Judgement Sunday, Orthodox Christians in Romania remember the loved ones that passed away.

Basket With Offerings

According to popular tradition, this celebration is called "Winter’s Elders" or "Saturday of The Dead."

Remembering The Departed

On this day in church we remember people who have not had a funeral by ordained priests and all departed as well.

According to ancient traditions in some areas of the country it is believed that old souls of the dead come this day on earth, while the believers give as offerings cooked food for the spirits to elude them.

Traditional Offering Of Coliva, Light And Pastry

Passed away souls come to feed and delight on the scent and aromas of dishes that are simmering, so they may remember and savor the rest of the year.

 

Offering Of Sarmale, Breads And Wine

On this day the ancient tradition is to give cabbage rolls, pie, wine, coliva, nut rolls, or even fruit and lit candles.

Bringing Light To The Grave

The graves of relatives are visited and blessed with light, at least two candles, which are intended to warm the souls of the dead.

Light For The Souls

A Star......A Holy Star.....A Herald Of The Birth Of Our Lord

Star Carolers

Starting on Christmas Day, the village children begin caroling with The Star... a richly decorated hand made banner to let the world know A Child Is Born!

Bucovina Star Carolers

Tradition dictates it continues for days until January 6 the day of The Epiphany.
The Star of Bethlehem only appears in the Nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew.

Old Bucharest Star Carolers

The rituals are inspired by the star that guided the three wise men to the manger where they announced the birth of Jesus, worshiped Him and gave Him gifts. Many Christians see the star as a miraculous sign to mark the blessed event.

Suceava Carolers

Songs about the Star have transcended through time from different sources, some from the Orthodox Byzantine Church, some from the Latin Catholic Church literature, some from the Calvinist rite and many from the local folk traditions.

Moldova Star Carolers

Folk Group Paunita

Small choral groups of stellar carolers visit the homes of the neighbors during the days of Christmas, singing religious songs about the birth of Jesus..."Star Above is Shining", " In the town of Bethlehem" or "Three Magi from the East" and joyfully blessing them and their kin.

Maramures Sledding  

At the end of the day there is always time for some winter fun....

Crown of Flowers….Romanian Tradition On June 29, 2014, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Saints Peter and Paul Fresco

On this Holy Sunday, centuries old folk traditions continue in villages of Transylvania, among them Crown of Flowers.

Particularly in Buneşti, old Romanian name Bundorf or Bondorf in Saxon dialect, a village in the county of Brasov, Transylvania located on the road connecting Brasov to Sighisoara.

Maramures Girls

Preparations for this day start a few days before June 29, when the village young people go into the fields to gather flowers as a celebration of nature's abundant vegetation that brings hope, renewal in the fruitfulness of the earth.

Transilvania Children'Dance

Throughout the celebration, young people dressed in the traditional folk costumes get together in traditional dances and prepare the crowns of flowers that get hung on top of pillars in the churchyard.

Flower Wreaths

Weaving of garlands is done at the home of one of the chosen village girls.

They weave two crowns: one for children, another for the youth. 

It is tradition to hide a piece of cheese and a bottle of plum brandy among the branches of the garlands for good harvest.

After the entire village is gathered around the "crown" on each pole, one young man climbs it and shouts a "zicătură". The text talks about the religious significance of the day of June 29, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a reminder from village priest most certainly.

Churchyard Pole Shouting

 Feasts follow at the homes of the villagers with traditional dishes and drink.

Traditional Transylvanian Pastry

The inspiration from this feast is seen in the patterns of rug weaving and at the harvest of wheat when the last few stalks and ears are made into a crown and placed on the barn wall.

Hand Woven Moldova Rug

Last Sheaf of Wheat

My Travel Artist

March 1st….Mărțișor, Harbinger of Romanian Spring

Ghiocei

As Romanians prepare for spring celebrations on March 1^st, the legends of Mărțișor and Baba Dochia come to mind, memories of childhood, red and white twisted silk bows with lovely miniature works of art, some handmade others depicting various symbols of love, friendship and renewal.

Martisor

Ancient folk traditions were passed on from one generation to the next from Roman times when gold or silver coins were tied to the blossoming fruit trees or some shrubs such as sweet briar, the tradition called for sharing of red wine, freshly baked bread and fresh cheese with the friends and family.

Spring Tradition

Burduf Cheese in Pine Bark

In other places, Mărțișor was worn until the arrival of migratory birds when it was thrown in the direction from which they came for future good fortune.

 

Bread Makers

Baba Dochia in Bucovina is the fairytale about a young princes that runs to the hills disguised as a shepherdess in order to avoid being given in marriage to a tyrant ruler.

She dressed warmly with nine sheepskin traditional embroidered coats to stay warm near her sheep. 

Cojoc Hand Embroidered

As she climbed the hills on March 1st, she took off one coat at the time for nine days, only to get to the top of the mountain where it was so cold and the ruler’s men were catching up to her. 

 

Banat Cojoc Vest

In her desperation she fell to her knees and asked God to save her…the wish was granted…she was turned into a beautiful rock formation for eternity.

Babele

                                                                Voyages of Discovery

 

White Guba Coats

Moldova Vests and Jacket

Master Cojoc Maker

The craft of cojoc making is still transcending from centuries of traditions and regional artistry.