Schitul Bogdănița

The monastic settlement is located 35 kilometers from the town of Bârlad, in a gorge guarded by wooded hills, typical of the Tutova hills.

The Bogdănița Monastery gets its name from the Bogdănița stream, whose source is approximately 3 kilometers away. The name comes from the Moldavian voivode Bogdan II, who set up camp on one of the nearby hills in 1450.

Although there are assumptions that the monastery has existed since the 16th century, the documents attest that the beginnings date from 1748. The founders were Toader and Ioniță Bole, who erected a small monastic settlement dedicated to Saint Hierarch Nicholas, to which others were added founders from the area.

Some of the first founders became monks at Bogdănița Monastery, among them Aftanasie Bole, Veniamin Bole, Calistru Bole and priest Miron Beșleăgă.

The monastery, although considered "family", was the scene of conflicts between the founders, often addressed to the Bishop of Roman, but sometimes also to the ruler Matea Ghica.

In the 19th century, the monastery experienced a period of revival. Starting from 1835, nuns were brought here, who were guided by the abbot Ioan until 1843.

The number of nuns increased, including people of various nationalities. The leaders of the monastery in the 19th century were the hieromonk Ioan and the nun Asinefta Dabija, who preserved the monastic orders.

During the time of abbess Elefteria (1843-1845), the foundation of a new stone and brick church was laid, consecrated on November 8, 1847, under the temporary leadership of the abbot Veniamin.

In 1859, under the leadership of the nun Asinefta Dabija, the hermitage housed 32 monks, most of them Romanian, but also from Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria. The spiritual life of the monastery was active, and the community participated in the liturgical program and various household activities.

A crucial moment was in 1860, when the Ministry of Cults abolished several hermitages, including Bogdănița, triggering a period of decline. The monastic life was continued by Abbess Asinefta Dabija and a group of nuns until 1875, when the hermitage became a parish church.

For over a century, the hermitage church was served by several mir priests, but suffered major damage due to fire and earthquakes.

The Bogdănița Hermitage came back into focus in 1996, with the re-establishment of the Diocese of Hușilor. In 1999, the re-establishment of the monastery with a community of monks was approved, led by the proto-monk Antonie Atodiresei since 2003, who contributed significantly to the revitalization of the settlement.

The monastic ensemble includes vestiges from the 19th century, a new church, a body of cells, a household and a bell tower. The cell block, built between 2007 and 2008, includes living rooms, a kitchen and a small museum.

The main church, built between 2004 and 2008, is decorated with Byzantine painting and carved furniture, donated by Archimandrite Epifanie Bulancea. The church was consecrated on July 27, 2019 by the Bishop of Hușilor, Ignatie.

After the death of Abbot Antonie Atodiresa, Archimandrite Timotei Condurache was appointed abbot in 2019, continuing the beautification works and the foundation of a monastic community. At present there are only two servants.