Presentation

he oldest hearth of praying in the area between the Dniester and Prut, founded by Stan Vărzari squire, is documented Varzaresti Monastery on 25 April 1420 in a note issued by Alexander Voivod (April 1399 – January 1 432), prince of Moldavia, to donations made Vena Pan’s maker, to right and faithful service. Although only mention of that date, Varzaresti Monastery was founded much before signing of this document, on the grounds that it was quite popular at the time, since it served as a benchmark for drawing boundaries landlord.

The monastery is situated at 70 km from Chisinau city , near the village of Varzaresti, Nisporeni district , and 32 km from the nearest railway station – Bucovat. Varzaresti monastic complex hasan opened and light planning. On a consolidated base and low mass buttresses stands the main church dedicated to St. Demetrius, in the north and east of the church are situated cells, like houses. Moldovan Monastery architecture respects the traditional architecture combined with elements of late classicism. Classical forms are causing architectural and artistic aspect of the church. It has a length of 27 m and a width of 11 meters.Till the moment it has been restored church of St. Demetrius. It was built a block housing for nuns, equipped with kitchen, refectory and tailoring, which is currently under reconstruction. Now, the community of the Varzaresti meets 9 monks, 3 nuns and 12 rasofoare obedient, hegumenia – Georgia (Claudia Placinta), hieromonk confessor – Silouan (Liviu Morogai) and two servants parents.

The monastery is located on a very beautiful place – a high hill (one of the largest in altitude of the country : 391 m) with an abundant vegetation. It is built from 3 km to the south to the old settlement, with and opening to the village. Picturesque ensemble is mainly due to the fact that the monastery is located on a high place (village is situated in the valley), which emphasizes its dominant vertical. Thus, the monastery can be seen from a distance, which is a psychological incentive for believers. Opening the monastery to the village reveals dual mission that has had it over time, the historic first – the role of the fortress, being bell protector of the land Lăpuşnic, and spiritual – which was woven with the fate of the ancient faith of the nation.

Although somewhat removed from the sight of the world, the access to the monastery for pilgrims and visitors is made by two roads connecting the capital city to the monastery: a road that winds to a valley through Straseni and Vorniceni to Nisporeni and another that runs through picturesque forests from the hills, avoiding Condrita Monastery, Capriana and Hincu.
Among the monasteries of Moldova, Varzaresti monastery is unique in that it keeps alive the memory and spirit of gone times by: sanctum built by the end oh the XIX – century –XX century, which although it is in a deplorable state, are evidence of hasty passing of time for eternity.

Varzaresti Monastery is an attraction that not only it is the oldest monastery in Basarabia space and maintains a spirit of cloister, even if they are near the village, but also because of his groin hosts under-working Icon Miracles of the Virgin Mary, known as “the Varzaresti” a bit of wood of the Holy Cross, and many bits of relics of the saints who by their urges both creatures of the monastery and the faithful pilgrims to keep the spirit of authentic living life in Christ.