Monastery in Ceadir-Lunga

The Ceadîr-Lunga Monastery is located in the city of the same name, 125 km from Chisinau , on the outskirts of the city, on the way to the cemetery. The monastery was founded in 2000 , and the initiator of the church's construction was Rector Dmitrii Chioroglo , who dedicated a significant part of his life to the monastery.

History of the foundation

Before the monastery appeared in the city, there was already an old temple in the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius , the patron saint of Chadur-Lunga, built in 1972, on September 11 , in the city center.

The future abbot, Dmitry Kioroglo , being only a fourteen-year-old teenager, managed to save two ancient icons from the ruins, which are kept in the monastery today.

Residents of Ceadîr-Lunga and surrounding villages, along with Dmitry, petitioned the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to build a new church in the city. The petition was granted, but on the condition that the church be built on the outskirts of the city, near the road to the cemetery.

Construction of a new church and monastery

Construction of the new St. Demetrius Church began immediately after the project was approved:

Father Dmitry and his daughter Ksenia personally painted the church with frescoes;
The carved iconostasis was made by Ukrainian craftsmen based on a sketch by the holy father Dmitry;
The parish began spiritual care for the Chadur-Lunga District Clinical Hospital , where a house church was established.

On October 7, 2000, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church blessed the transformation of the parish into a convent of the same name. A monastery building was erected next to the church , providing accommodation for the sisters and a place for prayer.

Architecture and decoration

The monastery temple is two-story and has two altars :

The altar in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is decorated with frescoes in the Byzantine style , with bright ornaments and images of saints;
The altar in the name of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki is equipped with an openwork iconostasis , made in the style of Balkan wood carving of the 17th century .

The monastery's architecture and decoration harmoniously combine elements of Byzantine painting and the tradition of Balkan wood carving.

Treasures and spiritual meaning

The monastery houses:

Antique icons from the old Church of St. Demetrius;
Copies of icons of the Mother of God found in the well;
Frescoes painted by Father Dmitry himself and his daughter, reflecting biblical scenes and the lives of saints.

The monastery has become not only the spiritual center of Ceadâr-Lunga but also the center of the city's cultural and religious heritage. The monastery's sisters actively participate in the social and spiritual support of residents and patients of the local hospital.