Kitskani monastery, PMR
Kitskani is living history: Dating back to 1367 and the largest religious complex in Pridnestrovie, it is still active today. Consisting of four churches around a central monastery, a visit to Kitskani will leave a lasting impression.
The name of the Kitskani monastery is "Novo-Nyametskyi Sviato Voznesenskyi Cloister." It is located not far from Bender, in the village Kitskani in Pridnestrovie. As an old European religious center, Nyametskaya Lavra, as the locals call it, can date its early history back to the year 1367.
The bell tower is a real pearl of the Cloister. It is 69 meters tall, built over five levels. The current bells were cast in Moscow in 1913 and delivered partly by train and then on the back of bulls to the Cloister. But only a few years after the new bells were hoisted, the land around Kitskani fell under the yoke of Soviet rule. The same Soviet authorities which later forced the unnatural marriage of Pridnestrovie and Moldova also forced the monastery to shut its doors. Under the Soviets, it was at times used as a makeshift hospital, then a storehouse, and even a museum.
Pridnestrovie's freedom meant freedom for Kitskani, too
When Pridnestrovie declared its freedom and independence in 1990 that also meant freedom for the Kitskani monastery, too. The monks, who had been hiding out among the local population, could now return to the monastery. Cheerfully, they opened the doors of the age-old religious stronghold and the revival of the Novo-Nyametskyi Cloister began. Uspenskaya Churrch, Temple of Christ were opened again, buildings repaired, and religious freedom restored. Under the new independent PMR government, a spiritual school was built. Faith based work went hand in hand with the building of the republic.
Today, nearly 50 monks and 30 fervent followers live in the monastery. With the support of the PMR government and foreign faith based groups, the restoration work is now focused on the return of old icons which were taken out from the
Cloister's churches during World War II's Nazi-backed Romanian invasion.
Artwork in Kitskani
Largest religious center
Kitskani monastery is the biggest religious complex in Pridnestrovie. For slavs, it has long been a haven of freedom and the right to preach in their own tongue. When Romania banned the public worship in the Church Slavonic language, monks escaped to Pridnestrovie and founded the New Neamt (Novo-Nyametskyi) Monastery in Kitskani, once again showing the openness and tolerance of our country as a haven for those who are persecuted and in danger elsewhere.
Construction work lasted almost 50 years. The Ascension Cathedral and the monastery's belfry were designed in 1864. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, were erected the rest of buildings: refectory, hospital, kitchen, two-storied monks' residences and the five-storied gate bell tower which for a long time was the tallest in the region. Iconostasis, crosses and icon cases were painted by Russian artist Sergei Verhovtsev. And many years went into creating the central oak alley with religious icons and figures carved into the trunks of the trees. Even today, it is a living, growing testament to the faith of its many artists.
Four houses of worship: One for each season
The monastic ensemble consists of 4 houses of worship: Summer Ascension cathedral, Winter Assumption church, St. Nicholas Seminary's Temple and the Exaltation Reflectory Church. The monastery also has its own printing house and a theological seminary.
In Ascension cathedral are kept the relics sent as a gift by Jerusalem and Constantinople patriarchs at the end of the 19th centuries, and the replica of wonder-working icon of Blessed Virgin in carved case, brought by the founder of the cloister as he fled persecution from the original Neamt. The reverse of the icon shows martyr George the Triumphant.
The Kitskani monastery's gardens
Proving to believers the strength of faith, all of the buildings and churches of the monastery went untouched and unhurt through war after war for hundreds of years. The Kitskani complex wasn't even touched by the vicious Moldovan invasion attempt of 1992, which struck terror into the hearts of Pridnestrovie and caused hundreds of dead in nearby Bender, just minutes away.
When you visit PMR, please also visit Svyato-Voznesenskaya Novo-Nyametskaya Lavra. It will leave a lasting impression and will show that although Pridnestrovie may be a new country on the international scene, our roots and our history date back centuries.
