Frumoasa Monastery is a friary; it is located on an inclined hill to the Ikel River. Surrounded by vineyards, gardens and hills it is situated at the distance of 14 km from Calarasi town

The architecture of both churches (of the summer and winter) carries a print of national Moldavian feature, with an impurity of classical style and elements from baroque style.

The history of the monastery began in 1804. Efrem Iurco – a widower who wanted to become a monk came from Oliscani village to Frumoasa Monastery. Other three heromonks: Serafim, Ionachie, Macarie and friar Anatasie followed him. They were passing their days in praying at this same monastery.

In 1806, the monks along with local citizens founded the first wooden hermitage, four hermitage cells and a refectory. In 1851, the church was rebuilt from stone. The St. Nicholas Wonderworker icon, blessed in 1810 (date of blessing capitalized on the icon) was enshrined in the wooden temple iconostasis.

The monastery denomination comes from the fantastically attractive places that surround the holy place. At the time the monastery's name was Frumusica (a diminutive of Frumoasa that means Beautiful). The first hegumen of the monastery was Serafim who founded the wooden temple. His name as a monk was Eftimie.

In 1937 Frumoasa was transformed into a monastery for nuns. In 1946, the nuns left for the monastery of Hirova, because Frumoasa was closed (until 1994). The monastery has another church, dedicated to the Holy Virgin Dormition.

Traveling in 1918 on the Moldovan lands, Mihai Sadoveanu visited Frumoasa Monastery. According to him the monastery represent the pure “soul” of Moldova country.

In 1947, the monastery bequest hold by monks was confiscated. The monks were enforced to leave the monastic complex. In 1948, the monastery was transformed into an orphanage for children. In 1965, it became a school for death-mute children. From 1973 until 1985 the monastery was functioning as a colony for girls, and from 1986 until 1994, it served as a school for mentally handicapped children.

The Holy Virgin Dormition temple caught twice: after the anti war period and in December 1985. After the first conflagration, the temple was restored and transformed into a sport hall. The temple remained the same (no restoration) after the second conflagration. The Saint Trinity temple served as a dancing club for school children. In 1995, the temple was partially demolished.

In 1994, Frumoasa Monastery was restored and reopened with the help of hieromonks Vasilie and Veniamin, laymen Valentin Ceban, Feodor Buruiana, Dimitrie Cavid the monk Filaret.

Translated from Romanian by Felicia Lupasco, Moldova.ORG

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