SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership

2nd LTT Activity: 4th – 8th June 2018, Târgoviște, Romania

Project No: 2017-1-IT02-KA219-036568_3

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SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

ROMANIA – THE PLACE OF THE FAIRY TALES

PELEȘ CASTLE- The Story of a Queen

Located in (44 km from Brasov and 122 km from ), Peles Castle is one of Romania’s most important museums since it was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914. The castle was built in 1899–1902 by order of King Carol I, as the residence for his nephew and heir, the future King Ferdinand (son of Carol's brother Leopold von Hohenzollern) and Ferdinand's consort Queen Marie. In 2006, it was decided that the entire complex, including Pelișor, a museum and tourist site, is the legal property of the King . It is a place chosen to be the location for another fairy tale, the most recent film A Christmas Prince (2017)

Queen Elisabeth of Romania Carmen Sylva, as she calls herself by her nom de plume, a name compounded from her fondness for song and wood, was by birth a princess of Wied, one of the many tiny principalities with which Germany abounded. At the time the princess was born namely, December 29 1843, her family, one of the oldest among small German princelings, had by their kindliness and culture made them beloved of their subjects. In 1868 Prince Charles of Hohenzollern had been chosen ruler of Roumania, and in the autumn of the next year he came to the Rhine to remind the Princess Elizabeth of her desire to rule over that kingdom. Even so it was a little while before she could consent to resign her fiercely cherished independence, but she yielded, and in November of the same year he took her to his home amid the Carpathians. Arrived in her new home, she at once threw herself

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with native ardor into all her new duties. She learned to read and write Roumanian, she made herself acquainted with the needs and requirements of the land, and soon saw that she had not been wrong when, years ago, she had aspired after this throne as one which would give her a noble work to do. While keeping herself carefully aloof from the entanglements of politics, the result of her endeavors was soon felt more beneficially than those of cannon or diplomatists. She founded schools, hospitals, soup- kitchens, convalescent homes, cooking-schools and crèches; she encouraged popular lectures; Her fairy tales were inspired by the local folklore, but contained motifs encountered in German tales, thus being an interesting combination of reality and imagination.

PELIȘOR CASTLE

Pelișor was designed by the Czech architect Karel Liman in the Art Nouveau style; the furniture and the interior decorations were designed mostly by the Viennese Bernhard Ludwig. There are several chambers, working cabinets, a chapel, and "the golden room". Queen Marie herself, an accomplished artist, made many of the artistic decisions about the design of the palace, and participated in its decoration, including as a painter. Queen Marie considered Art Nouveau a weapon against sterile historicism, creating a personal style combining Art-Nouveau elements with Byzantine and Celtic elements. The official hall, simple and bright, is decorated with oak-wood cassetons. The paintings, drawings and water-colours feature Maria with her children. King Ferdinand’s solemn study resembles the German Neo-Renaissance from Peles. “The Golden Bedroom” is furnished with pieces made in 1909 in the arts and crafts workshops at Sinaia, to the Queen’s plans and drawings. Maria’s study, arranged in an interior dominated by Brancovan-style columns, has a fireplace that is specific to Romanian interiors. The chairs and desk are decorated with Maria’s symbols: the lily and the Celtic cross. It was the Queen’s wish to spend the last moments of her life in the Golden Chamber. Here, the gilded walls are decorated with thistle leaves that resemble the emblem of Scotland, Maria’s native land.

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SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

THE STORY OF A QUEEN’S HEART

Queen Marie died at Pelișor on July 18th 1938, at 5.38pm. Two days after her death, the Queen’s body was brought to Bucharest, where it lay in state in the ’s white drawing room. Thousands of Romanians filed past to see the body of their beloved Queen. Her body was taken and buried at the Curtea de Arges monastery, but her heart was enshrined in a small golden casket, emblazoned with the emblems of Romania’s provinces and laid to rest in the Stella Maris Chapel in her palace of Balchik, as she had wished. Queen Marie’s heart had been covered with the Romanian flag on one side and the British flag onthe other, symbolic for the two countries that the Queen had loved. However, when South Dobrudja was returned to Bulgaria in 1940 during World War II, the Queen’s heart was transferred to Bran Castle. Her youngest daughter Princess Ileana built a chapel there especially to house the heart, kept inside two silver boxes and then placed within a marble sarcophagus, in its own special niche. In 1995 a plaque was erected to commemorate the fact that the Queen’s heart had formerly been deposited here to rest. But the Communist Regime later seized Bran, removed the Queen’s heart and had it – together with the silver boxes – put in the National Museum of Romanian History in 1971, where it has remained for the last forty years, that is until 2015. Now the heart of the Queen is to be laid to rest at Pelisor Castle, in keeping with the wishes of King Michael of Romania, Queen Marie’s grandson. It is poignant to ponder the Queen’s heart returning to a Castle that she loved, with whose design she was so deeply involved and within whose walls she died. Whilst her body remains in the Curtea de Arges monastery, the Queen’s heart will find its final resting place there.

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SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

BRAN CASTLE

1211- The Teutonic Knights – “Ordo domus Mariae Sanctae Theutonicorum Hierosolimitanorum” – a catholic religious order formed in Palestine during the late twelfth century by German crusaders, received Țara Bârsei (“Terra Borza” or “Burzenland” – a country named after the Cuman tribe of Burci) from King Andrew II of Hungary. The purpose of this gift was to establish the Teutons in the area and to defend the Southeastern border of Transylvania from the Cumans and the Pechenegs. The Teutons erected a fortress in Bran (a Turkish name meaning “gate”), before they were driven away from the area in 1226. 1377

On November 19, the office of the Hungarian King Louis the Great – Louis I of Anjou – issued a document granting to the people of Brasov (“Kronstadt” – The Crown’s City) the privilege of building a castle. Through this document, the Saxons of Transylvania (“Sachsen” – a population of German origin that came to Transylvania in the twelfth century), from the region encompassing Brasov, were urged to participate in the building of Bran Castle, which was previously named “Dietrichstein” or “Törzburg” in German, “Törcsvár” in Hungarian, and “Turciu” in Romanian. 1388 In 1388, the castle’s construction was complete. The Castle was built on a steep cliff between Măgura and Dealul Cetăţii (“fortified town’s hill”), with an exceptional view of the nearby hills, Moeciu Valley and Valea Bârsei. It served the role of customs – holding 3% of goods transferring in and out of Transylvania – and the role of a fortress – the castle stood at the Eastern border of Transylvania and was used in an attempt to stop the Ottoman Empire’s expansion. The castle was inhabited by professional soldiers, mercenaries, and the storyteller Ioan de Târnava, wrote about “the English brigands and ballista soldiers” of the fifteenth century. The lord of the castle was elected by the King, usually from among the Saxons, and whose role was increasingly important in the history of Transylvania. By the end of the fifteenth century, the castle’s commander also held the title of Vice-Voivode of Transylvania.

1407- The Castle was given as fief (“property given in return for loyalty”) by Sigismund of Luxembourg to his ally, Prince Mircea, the Elder of Wallachia, where he could escape to in case of an attack by the Turks. After the death of the Romanian Prince in

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1419, due to the political instability of Wallachia, Sigismund took over the castle and entrusted it to the Princes of Transylvania. 1441- The Turks raided Transylvania, but John Hunyadi (Iancu de Hunedoara) defeated them in Bran. Iancu, Prince of Transylvania, who needed the support of the Saxons at the border, reinforced the promises granted to the inhabitants of Brasov by Mircea the Elder and by Sigismund.

1459- Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes) was allied with Bran and Brasov during his first reign (1448) and through the start of his next reign, after the Princes -of Transylvania requested that he handle the anti-Ottoman resistance at the border. During his second reign (1456 – 1462), however, his army passed through Bran in early 1459 to attack Brasov, in order to settle a conflict between the Wallachia Voivode and the Saxons, who requested higher customs taxes and supported his opponent for the throne. Vlad the Impaler burned the city’s suburbs and murdered hundreds of Saxons from Transylvania, provoking the Saxon community to seek revenge by later mentioning in reports that the Voivode were a tyrant and extremely ruthless. He was the ruler of Targoviste three times.

1886 Between 1883 and 1886, the imperial authorities agreed, at the insistence of the Brasov inhabitants, to repair damages made to the castle during the Revolution of 1848 and during the Russo-Turkish war of 1877. Extensive restoration work was carried out.

1888 -The City Administration of Brasov transferred the castle to the region’s forestry. For 30 years, the castle fell into decay – it was inhabited, up to 1918, by the foresters, woodsmen and forest inspectors coming from Brasov.

1920 - After 1918, Transylvania became part of Greater Romania. On December 1st 1920, the citizens of Brasov, through a unanimous decision of the city’s council, led by Mayor Karl Schnell, offered the castle to Queen Maria of Romania, who was described in the deed as “the great queen who (…) spreads her blessing everywhere she walked, thus wining, with an irresistible momentum, the hearts of the entire country’s population”. The Castle became a favorite residence of Queen Maria, who restored and arranged it to be used as a residence of the royal family. 6

SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

1932 From 1920 until 1932, the Castle was converted into a royal summer residence, coordinated by the Czech architect Karen Liman, who designed the castles Peles and Pelisor. The 57 meter deep well of the castle gave insufficient water; therefore water was piped to the castle from natural springs situated across the valley. In 1932, the castle added a hydroelectric power plant on the stream Turcu, to light the castle but was also connected to the towns of Bran, Simon and Moeciu. The grateful inhabitants thanked Queen Marie, to which she referred in her writings: “poor villages, pure Romanian that in a near future would not have had this advantage.” The area around the Castle was turned into an English Park with two ponds and a Tea House. An elevator was installed into the well shaft to provide easy access between the castle and the park for the Queen suffering from arthritis. Other buildings were erected: a guesthouse, a wooden church, staff housing, stables and garage. 1938 When Queen Marie died, on July 18, Bran Castle was bequeathed to the Princess Ileana, now married to Archduke Anton of Austria since 1931. The Queen’s favourite, according to a statement from Balchik on June 29, 1933. The Archduchess continued the planning for the castle's future. 1940

After the Vienna Award, when Romania lost the South Danube territories, Queen Marie’s heart that had been in the Stella Maris chapel of the Balchik’s palace on the Black Sea, was brought in its sarcophagus to Bran. The sarcophagus containing the heart was placed into a crypt chapel carved into the rock across the valley from the Castle. Upon Queen’s death, her heart had been placed in a silver box that was placed into a precious ornate box, which were then wrapped in the flags of Romania and of her native England and then placed in a marble sarcophagus. 1944 The Princess Ileana built a hospital in Bran, she named it “the Hospital of the Queen’s Heart”, which serviced the treatment for wounded soldiers from Brasov after the Red Cross hospital was bombed by American aircrafts. After 1945, the

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hospital continued to treat people wounded and maimed in the war and the population of the region. Princess Ileana herself cared for patients as a nurse and even operated in the hospital. She continued the work with great efforts until January 1948. 1948- Princess Ileana and her family were forced to leave the country by the newly installed communist regime. Ileana moved via and Argentina to the United States in 1950, together with her six children: Stefan (born 1932), Maria-Ileana (born 1933), Alexandra (born 1935), Dominic (born 1937), Maria – Magdalena (born 1939) and Elisabeth (born 1942. At the same time, Archduke Anton returned to Occupied Austria to save what he could of his war ravaged estate. In the United States, P rincess Ileana provided for herself, her children and their education through proceeds from lecturing on her life, Romania and Communism. 1956 - Bran Castle was transformed by the communist authorities into a museum. The museum had three departments: the Castle – which contained pieces of royal heritage; the medieval customs; and Ethnography – that included traditional houses in the park near the castle.

1990 -In September 1990, Princess Ileana, who since 1961 lived in a convent and was ordained as Mother Alexandra, visited Bran Castle and witnessed the damaged buildings and loss of some of the inter-war construction. She died shortly after, on January 21, 1991, and was buried in The Orthodox Monastery of Transfiguration Elwood City, Pennsylvania, which she founded and of which she was the abbess. In her grave was placed a small box containing earth from the foot of Bran Castle, collected when she was exiled. 1993 The castle’s restoration works, which had started in 1987, were finished. The Castle was reopened as a museum and was reintroduced into the tourist circuit. 2006 On May 18, after several years of legal proceedings, the castle was legally returned to the heirs of Princess Ileana of Romania and Archduke Anton of Austria. However, the Romanian Government, through the Ministry of Culture, provisionally administered the castle for another three years. 2009 On June 1, 2009, the Castle fully re-entered the possession of its legal heirs, Archduke Dominic, Archduchess Maria Magdalena and Archduchess Elisabeth.

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SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

A Young mother, who is a true artist, relating a fairy tale, is one of the greatest joys in this world.(Carmen Sylva)

The Lily of Life: A Fairy Tale is a children’s story written by Carmen Sylva, Queen Elisabeth of Romania. The book that was originally published in 1913. (https://archive.org/details/arealqueensfair00sylvgoog)

here lived a happy king and queen, in a beautiful golden castle by the sea. The couple had two beautiful daughters, one with golden hair and sad, brown eyes. The other had jet black hair, with bright blue eyes. The golden-haired girl was named Corona, and the black-haired girl named Mora. Corona was named as such because when she was born, it looked like she had a golden crown on her head. The nurse who cared for the girls noticed Corona’s sad eyes and wondered if the girl carried the sadness of the world within her. Despite her sad eyes, both girls grew up very happy, and loved their parents deeply. As the girls aged, their parents couldn’t help but think of marriage for them. The girls wouldn’t hear a word of it, as they hated the idea of being separated from one another. Around the castle were massive forests, through which the sisters would enjoy long rides together. Mora had an inky-black horse, and Corona a shining golden one.

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SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

One day, the girls rode deep into the forest, where they came across a pool of dark water. Hot from their fast ride, they dismounted their horses and leaned against them. They stared into the deep pool of water. When Mora looked up, she saw that a knight clad in gold armor stood before them. The knight rounded the pool, bared his head, and knelt before the young women. The girls discovered that the knight’s name was Ilario. He was a prince from afar, and was lost in the forest. One of the pages rode ahead of their group to alert the king to prepare a feast for the foreigner. The trio rode back to the castle, flanked by Yno, Corona’s page. They were all very happy, except for Yno, when he suddenly felt very lonely as a large eagle flying overhead looked down at them. The eagle admired the beauty of the scene below, but felt sad with all of the world’s sorrow. Ilario was warmly welcomed into the court by the king and queen, with feasting and a great tournament. The two sisters who had lived alone with their parents, found a new joy in their lives (not realizing their guest was the source of their happiness.) Ilario won the tournament with ease. The two sisters’ hearts leapt in their chest when he gazed upon them in admiration. It was the first time the girls harbored a secret from one another as they each fell in love with him. Three weeks later, Yno found his mistress crying. She confided in him that Ilario and Mora didn’t even realize when she wasn’t with them any longer. The queen began to notice the divide between the sisters, and her heart grew heavy. It wasn’t long after that Ilario asked the king and queen for Mora’s hand in marriage, and the king gladly acquiesced. However, the queen grew more upset with the fact that Corona would be left behind. At a celebration for the announcement, Corona was the first to give her sister an extravagant gift; a small blue casket covered in diamonds that held within it a tiny book. The book was carved out of an opal, edged with diamonds, and on its pages held says that brought good luck to those who read them. The sisters embraced, but for what seemed to be the last time, as they knew their friendship would never be the same again. When the wedding drew closer, Ilario fell deathly ill. Mora sat with her beloved day and night. When she became too exhausted, she asked Corona to sit with him for her. When she left, Ilario looked at Corona with feverish eyes, and began proclaiming words of adoration for her. Not realizing she wasn’t Mora because of the fever, Corona sat with him while he uttered words of love for another, and her heart broke further. A gypsy woman arrived at the castle one day who proclaimed to know of a wise woman in the woods far away who would know a cure for the prince. Only a young girl, with a soul as white as snow could make it through the dangerous bog that was between the forest and the witch’s home. When Corona heard this, she immediately volunteered to go. Reluctantly agreeing, her parents and Mora

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watched as she rode off with Yno. As they rode, Yno couldn’t help but feel as though Corona too, had forgotten his presence. They found the edge of the bog. Seeing the treacherous landscape, Yno begged his mistress not to go. Corona replied that she must go alone, and implored him to wait for her there until she returned. In the evening light, Yno saw that upon her head shone a halo-like white light. It was then that he remembered the gypsy’s words that only a young girl with a soul white as snow could cross the bog. Despite her own fear, Corona pressed onward. On her way, she was accosted by horrible images of dying and suffering people. Filled with despair, she finally came across an old boat on the shore of the sea when she passed out. When she awoke, she found herself in a room with an old woman who possessed the saddest eyes in the world. The woman gave Corona something to drink, and touched her fingers to her head, drawing out all of her weariness. The woman confessed that her heart died within her long ago, and she no longer has tears to shed, because she had been greedy in her younger years. That greed lead her lover to his death, is search of the largest, most beautiful pearl he could find. In her grief, the woman’s hair turned white, and everyone called her a witch because her selfishness killed the man. Corona told the witch her quest. She grasped an old book, and told Corona that it came from afar, and was full of all the wisdom in the world. The book told of a forest filled with cruel beasts, and a white marble temple made of six courts. In the innermost court lies a pool of dark water, where grows the Lily of Life. The lily is so white and intense that the human eye cannot behold it without being stricken with blindness. But he who plucks the flower can heal any illness. The woman asks if it is for her lover, and Corona says that it’s for the love of her sister that she would go to the far away land. Because the love within her was completely unselfish, the woman instructed her on how to get to the temple. She told her that she must not utter a sound to anyone, and that she must go alone. She gave her a magnet, a strangely shaded lamp that would light itself when she needed help, and a round piece of yellow glass. By boat, Corona was allowed to return to the castle and leave a note for her sister in the middle of the night, as she was allowed to speak to no one, to let her know that there was hope in Ilario’s healing. She kissed the ill Ilario, then fled back to the boat. As she departed, she noticed Yno following her. Fearing he may drown, she drew him into the boat with her. He questioned her, but she could give him no answer as to where she was going. In the morning, they reached the shore. She wrote in the sand that she must go alone, and he must wait for her. With a breaking heart, he watched her go. With the magnet to guide her way, Corona traveled long and far. Her feet were bleeding from crossing the great burning plain, and she was plagued

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with fatigue. A little brown bird alighted on her shoulder, and sang a song so beautiful that she felt completely rejuvenated to reach the mountains. She walked more, and the air grew thinner and colder. She grew so cold by the time she reached an immense frozen lake, surrounded by treacherous black rock walls. The shadow of a terrible figure fell upon her. Unable to move forward over the frozen lake, she was forced to face it. An old man, covered in icicles looking as frozen as the lake, asked who had entered his domain. With her muteness, she couldn’t answer. Which turned out to be a blessing, for the man couldn’t tolerate the sound of a human voice and would therefore not turn her into stone. Before he let her go, he demanded payment, which she appeased by giving him her long golden hair. Free from the man’s terrible grasps, she started to cross the lake. Suddenly, a flock of swans appeared and ferried her across the ice to a treacherous stairway cut into the side of the black rock wall. She fearfully climbed until she reached the top, pulled along by the magnet. Exhausted, she collapsed, yet the little brown bird appeared again to rejuvenate her. She traveled until she reached a small cabin, where an old man and his son lived. Seeing her state, they helped her and allowed her to rest in their home. The man kept asking her questions, but she was unable to answer any of them. She slept until the magnet roused her in the middle of the night. She wrote a message, thanking them for their kindness, leaving behind her jeweled belt, and left. The magnet led her deep into a thick, beautiful forest. Flowers and strange animals inhabited its depths, and Corona was overwhelmed with its beauty. Suddenly, a white stag with massive golden horns appeared before her. His eyes were blue just like Mora’s. He bent a knee and allowed her to sit astride his back. He took her as deep into the forest as he could, until his horns became too big to pass through the undergrowth. She slid from his back, and thanked him, not wanting to go on alone. As she continued, large panthers with gleaming green eyes, and other ferocious creatures blocked her path. It was then that she remembered the little lantern the witch had given her. She pulled it out, and its bright light made the creatures backed away, allowing her to pass in safety. The animals of prey fell back when she reached a broad road, strewn with glowing ashes. Having no other way to traverse the landscape, she pushed forward, willing her mind to rule her body. Suddenly, she felt light, and the ground dropped away from her. She realized she was in the grip of a great bird. They landed on a soft green patch of moss covered in flowers. The great bird was an eagle and he took pity on her. His wings caressed the girl’s scorched feet and took all the pain away as if with magic. He leapt up and left her. The magnet pulled her towards a mass of flowers, which covered a massive white marble wall. Elated, she searched for a door to the temple. She found it, but didn’t know how to open it. Next to the door grew a plant with red flowers that looked drops of blood.

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They emitted the sweetest of scents (a combination of all the beautiful scents she had smelled throughout her entire life). She went back to the door, held up the flower, and the door opened before her into the temple. She passed through five inner courts by holding the flower to the door, each room having its own beautiful architecture and flowers more beautiful than the last. Each was guarded by a pair of ferocious beasts, but her little lantern allowed her to pass unharmed. She reached the final door, flanked by two angels, which opened the door for her. A blinding light emanated from the center of the room. A pool of dark water sat at the center, with a glowing object too bright to look at. With the yellow glass the witch had gifted her, she confirmed it was the lily. She knelt down at the water’s edge and wept. She wept tears of pain and grief, relieving her overburdened heart. When her tears hit the floor, they turned into pearls, and rolled into the dark water. When she wept all of her tears, she unclasped her blue cloak and put it on the floor. She descended into the pool, and retrieved the lily. The moment the stem snapped, the air around them filled with music, and light shown over everything. It was as if the heavens had opened into the room. When she looked back, a new lily stood in the place of the old one, waiting for the next weary wanderer to seek out its healing powers. She lifted the lily to her face and instantly felt infinite gladness. Even more, her golden hair grew thickly past her waist, and her soiled dress changed into a garment of the most spotless white. Lifted by swans, she was flown back to the place where she had left Yno. Her tongue now loosened, she asked the swans to stop and allow her to thank the man and his son for their kindness to her. Reaching the shore, Yno was awed by her presence, Something in her face seemed otherworldly, and the white dress seemed to pure to touch. In her hands sat the lily of life. When she saw that he had waited for her, she praised him, and told him how God had mercifully led her on her journey. The two took the boat back to the castle. Arriving, Corona discovered that she was just in time. Ilario barely held onto life, but was still alive. Her mother too, had realized the change that Yno had seen. Corona’s beauty seemed unbearably pure. When Corona saw Ilario lying on his sick bed, she instantly was struck by his beauty. She felt a great love rise within her, but was reminded by Mora that she was his betrothed. With the lily, she touched his brow. Instantly, his health improved, and life returned to him. Ilario jumped up and kissed Mora. Soon, the castle was filled with joy at the news of Ilario’s miraculous recovery. The marriage was the next day. The king was proud of his two beautiful daughters, but the queen saw deeper, and understood the grief to come for Corona, who acted like nothing was amiss. After the proceedings, she went out to the stable and wept into the neck of her beloved horse, mourning.

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After the ball, the bride and groom prepared to leave on a boat, back to the land of Ilario. Mora begged her sister to come visit, but Corona felt that she was bidding farewell. Ilario came to her, and he suddenly realized everything she had sacrificed. He kissed her, and then departed with Mora. Corona remained on the beach long into the night. Yno found Corona on the beach. Her skin was deathly white, her parted lips smiling, and her hands clasped over her broken heart. In the morning, the king and queen sent out a search party for their missing daughter. On the beach two figures were found–Yno with with his head on his maiden’s feet, and a brown bird singing upon the beautiful girl. On a distant shore, the witch saw white wings rising towards Heaven, and heard the name “Corona” on the wind

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ROMANIAN LEGENDS

The Legend of Master Manole- Prince Negru Vodă (Radu Negru) wanted to build the most beautiful monastery in the country, so he hired Master Manole, the best mason of those times, along with his 9 men. During construction, because the walls of the monastery would continuously crumble, the Prince threatened to kill Manole and his workers. Desperate about the way construction went, one night Manole had a dream in which he was told that, for the monastery to be built, he had to incorporate into its walls some person very loved by him or his masons. He told his masons about his dream, and they agreed that the first wife who would come there with lunch for her husband the following day should be the one to be built into the walls of the monastery so that their art would last. The next day, Manole looked over the hills and sadly saw his wife, Ana (who was pregnant), coming from afar. He prayed to God to start rain and storm in order for her to stop her trip or go back home. But her love was stronger than the storm, and she kept going. He prayed again, but nothing could stop her. When she arrived, Manole and the builders told her that they wanted to play a little game, which involved building walls around her body. She accepted happily, but she soon realized that this was no game and implored Manole to let her go. But he had to keep his promise. And that was how the beautiful monastery was built. When the monastery was completed, the Prince asked the builders if they could ever make a similarly splendid building. Manole and his masons told the Prince that they surely could always build an even greater building. Hearing that and fearing they'll build a bigger and more beautiful building for someone else, the Prince had them all stranded on the roof so that they would perish and never build something to match it. They fashioned wooden wings and tried to fly off the roof. But, one by one, they all fell to the ground. A well of clear water, named after Manole, is believed to mark the spot where Manole himself fell. (the real location the Curtea de Argeș Monastery) The Legend of Baba Dochia - Baba Dochia had a son, called Dragomir, who was married. Dochia ill-treats her daughter-in-law by sending her to pick up berries in the forest at the end of February. God appears to the girl as an old man and helps her in her task. When Dochia

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sees the berries, she thinks that spring has come back and leaves for the mountains with her son and her goats. She is dressed with twelve lambskins, but it rains on the mountain and the skins get soaked and heavy. Dochia has to get rid of the skins and when frost comes she perishes from the cold with her goats.

Babele Myth -A folk myth associates the 9 days from March 1 to March 9 with the 9 coats she's shedding. Her spirit is haunting every year around that time, bringing snowstorms and cold weather before the spring sets in. Women use to pick a day out of these 9 beforehand, and if the day turns out to be fair, they'll be fair in their old days, and if the day turns out to be cold, they'll turn bitter when older. In Romanian language 'babele' is the plural of 'baba', the hag or the old woman. Dochia is sometimes depicted as a proud woman who teases the month of March, who in return gets its revenge by taking some days from February.

The Romanian Giants known as Jidovi, are probably one of the most beloved folklore creatures. Jidovii are described in Romanian legends as kind and patient, walking with huge steps from one hill to another. Their presence in Romania is well maintained by the multitude of places that were named after them: the Jidovi table, the Jidovi cave, the hill or the tombs of Jidovi, and also, there is jidovina, a measuring unit consisting of several meters, the equivalent of a giant’s step. Wherever you go, their memory is well preserved and you must not be surprised to hear that there are still many people who believe in their past existence. In the Carpathians, Jidovii are often named Blajini, which means the Kind Ones, or Novaci, which means the Powerful Ones as they could snatch a tree without any effort. They lived in caves and thick woods, enjoyed talking and respected the little humans, which they considered their successors, the next owners of all the rivers and mountains. At the beginning of 1900, there were still some people who claimed to have heard real stories about Jidovi from their grandparents who saw them in person. According to their stories, there were few giants left but lived in good communion with humans. When great floods came, Jidovii took care of people and their animals

without asking for any reward. Also, there is a story which repeats regardless of region, when giants seeing people plowing the land, took them in their hands as

little toys, smiled at them and then put them back carefully. But the best legend ever is that of the famous agreement between the great Dacian king Burebista and all the Jidovi from the mountains. They were left to live in the mountains only if they promised to guard with their life the great Dacian gold treasures. So, it is believed, that in the deepest caves of the Carpathians Mountains may still live some Jidovi, protecting the treasures for generations to come. 16

SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

SOURCES

A Real Queen’s Fair- The Lily of Life- A Fairy Tale - (https://archive.org/details/arealqueensfair00sylvgoog) Burying a Queen’s Heart http://royalcentral.co.uk/blogs/burying-a-queens-heart-queen-marie-of-romania-52050 Historical Timeline - http://www.bran-castle.com/history.html Folklore of Romania- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore_of_Romania#Romanian_myths_part_of_international_culture

Created by the Romanian Erasmus+ Team Project – Seminarul Teologic Ortodox „Sf Ioan Gură de Aur”, Târgoviște, Romania June 2018

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SEMINARUL TEOLOGIC ORTODOX “SF. IOAN GURĂ DE AUR”

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