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September 19, 2004
Reviving religion
The Saint Nicolas Cathedral in Brasov
Perhaps "cathedral" is the wrong word, but it is the nearest I can get to the Romanian Orthodox title. This is the seat of the Archbishop of Brasov and is relatively small by Western standards, yet it is never empty, never still, and loaded with the sense of prayer. The interior of the building is riotously decorated with no wall or ceiling surface uncovered by the icon-style murals. The great screen separating nave from the inner sanctuary is elaborate and ornate and, while beautiful, manages to not overwhelm.
In the grounds stands the first school to teach in the Romanian language rather than in German (Romania was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1840), and its first modern King, Ferdinand 1, was a member of the Hapsburg/Hohenzollern dynasties and married one of Queen Victoria's children, Princess Mary, who became Queen Maria. The present ex-King, Mihail 1 (Michael 1 in English) now lives in a former Royal Guest House in a beautiful park in Bucharest, having become something of a national icon since his return.
Religion is important to this newly resurgent nation, and so it is encouraging to see the restoration of the ancient churches, the full congregations, and the strength of belief in God and his abundant grace.
The religious revival is palpable with new churches rising and old ones being refurbished. Even among the military, long banned by Communist Laws from practicing any form of religion, church-going is now commonplace. As the soul reaches out for nourishment, so the evil that the men of Godless politics and power have wrought is rolled back. A lesson, perhaps, for the "free" nations of the developed world?
Posted by The Gray Monk at September 19, 2004 02:09 PM