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Isolated, quite difficult to reach, from the height of almost 1,000 m altitude, the Sihla Orthodox Monastery is a nodal point of monasticism in the Neamt Mountains. To the north are the Sihastria and Secu monasteries, to the east the Agapia Veche Hermitage and the Agapia and Varatec monasteries, to the south the Horaita, Horaicioara nonastiries and Boulet Hermitage, and to the west the Daniil Sihastrul Hermitage. An authentic monastic hearth, the Sihla Monastery has its roots in old hermitages from the 15th century, also favored by the nearby rocks. Tradition says that in the old days, the monks of Sihla did not see people face to face except on the patron days of the two little churches, on June 24, for the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (the monastery church) and on August 6, for the Transfiguration (Church from a Fir Tree).
The monastery is famous for St. Pious Teodora, the first Romanian saint woman passed among the saints, the one who became a hermit at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, in complete piety, alone in the wilderness, in a cave located close to the monastery.
At the base of the rocks above the monastery, in 1763, aga Ioanita Pascanul Cantacuzino built a small church, "from a fir tree" in memory of his friend, Ioan Coroi, who died hunting deer in the nearby ravine that bears his name today. Currently, at Râpa (Ravine) of Coroi, there is the Hermitage "Saint Daniil the Hermit" belonging to the Sihastria Monastery
Sihla Monastery is also known because of the great father confessor Paisie Olarul who lived here between 1972-1984.
From the large church of the monastery starts a path that goes up to the rock formations above the monastery, which, passing by the "Church from a Fir Tree" and the "Cave of St. Teodora", reaches the parking lot at the entrance to the monastic complex.
Also called the "Upper Church", the "Church from a Fir Tree", built at the base of huge rocks, is preserved close to its original state. At the little church, pilgrims are usually waited on by a monk who sometimes also offers spiritual advice. Made, according to tradition, from a single fir tree, the church has the shape of a simple nave, covered with shingles, without apses and spire. The simple, dimly lit interior preserves the intimacy and atmosphere of the old days. The iconostasis, almost in miniature, was painted in oil, probably immediately after the construction of the church. Images, texts, icons of Saint Pious Theodora can be found both outside and inside the church. On either side of the church there are small wooden cells from the 19th century (according to other sources, from the 15th century).
The overwhelming natural ambience, the little church gem and the small cells, the grace of Saint Theodora induce pilgrims into a state of deep piety.
3 окт 2024
