STEPHEN THE GREAT AND HOLY COMMEMORATION/ Saint George's Church of Voronet Monastery

The gem of mediaeval Moldavian churches, Saint George's Church of Voronet has become famous for its magnificent interior and exterior paintings, conspicuous of which is the blue hue, known in the world as the Voronet blue.

Built on May 26 — September 14, 1488, the Saint George Church was founded by Stephen the Great in homage to God for his victory against Turks in a campaign of 1476.

In architectural terms, the Voronet Monastery is a tri-lobed church, with the belfry erected above the nave and a fragmentary roof.

The church was reinforced with defence walls over time, and belfries as well as houses for the monks were later on added, some of which were discovered during restoration works in 1961-1965. The church is fully decorated with frescos, both inside and outside.

Photo credit: (c) Bogdan BARBULESCU / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

The paintings in the altar, the nave and narthex are the original ones painted during the time of the ruler.

The paintings on the church porch as well as all the paintings on the outer walls were made by Metropolitan bishop Grigorie Rosca.

July 2 marks the commemoration of 510 years since the death of Moldovan ruler Stephen the Great (ruling between 1457-1504), one of the most important Romanian figures of the Middle Ages. On June 20, 1992, he was sanctified by the Romanian Orthodox Church as Pious Voivode Stephen the Great and Holy.