On May 26, 2023, we commemorate the beginning of the construction of the "Sf. Gheorghe" Church in Voroneț, a significant monument established by Stephen the Great 536 years ago. Recognized worldwide for its beauty, this church is part of the Voroneț Monastery, often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of the East." The monastery is located in Voroneț, now a district within the city of Gura Humorului, about 36 kilometers from Suceava and just 4 kilometers from Gura Humorului’s center.
The church was remarkable for its time, constructed in just three months and three weeks, earning a record for speed. Alongside other painted churches in northern Moldova, Voroneț Monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is modest in size, with a trilobate plan and features a Moldavian dome. It is one of the few religious architectural monuments in northern Moldova that maintains much of its original form.
The interior frescoes of the church date largely back to the era of Stephen the Great, particularly around 1496. Notable interior paintings include "The Last Supper," "The Sharing of the Apostles," "The Washing of the Feet" (in the altar), the "Cycle of the Passion," as well as a votive painting of the ruler Stephen the Great within the naos.
The date of May 26 also bears historical significance for several other reasons:
- 1799: Birth of Russian writer Alexander Pushkin, renowned for works like "The Tales of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin" and "Eugene Onegin."
- 1805: Napoleon I of France was crowned King of Italy in Milan Cathedral.
- 1865: The conclusion of the Civil War in North America, marked by the surrender of the last Confederate army.
- 1896: Nicholas II became Tsar of Russia.
- 1916: Birth of writer Vintilă Corbul, who passed away on January 30, 2008.
- 1961: The establishment of Amnesty International.
- 1976: The death of philosopher Martin Heidegger, a notable figure in existentialism.
- 1986: The adoption of the European flag by the European Community.
Sources: Mediafax
