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St. Andrew Hermitage

SAINT APOSTLE ANDREW'S HERMITAGE

 

The Saint Apostle Andrew's Hermitage or Monastery stands for a Romanian Bethleem, since it is relating to the beginnings of Christianity on the present-day territory of Romania. Saint Apostle Andrew's Hermitage is situated on the tourist road Constanţa - Ostrov, close to the Ion Corvin forest. One can still see the stone that once served as an altar temple. The stone of the altar has the Holy Cross carved on all its sides. The wandering tribes who passed the territory along history could not turn the locals from their faith, culture and language.

At about 50 m west from the Hermitage, one can see 9 wells known to have the best drinking water in the whole Dobrudja. They say that Saint Apostle Andrew preached for the first time over there and that he would teach people the religion of love and peace, cure the ill and baptize them in the name of God.

During the 45 years of communism, the Hermitage became a mere cave, entirely emptied from all worship objects. The Hermitage resumed its religious functions in 1990. It became a Monastery by the Decision of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, on 14 July 1994.