Monasteries

Over the past few months New Horizons has arranged for the students studying abroad

to visit many different historical sites in Romania. The more popular types of historical sites we

have been visiting are the monasteries and churches. My first thought when hearing we were

going to visit them was not positive. I thought they would be boring; I have seen many

churches in my time, why would I possibly need to see more? God metaphorically slapped me

across the face upon arrival to our first monastery and church (each monastery had its own). In

Romania it was the fall season so the road, lined with tree,s was bursting with color.

A huge wall loomed up in front of us, walking through the gate—I had my first

experience in a monastery. It was so quiet, even the dogs seemed like they were trying to

be respectful. We arrived just in time for their service. So, as we put our cameras away and

opened their church doors, I stopped. I had thought the building’s exterior was extensive, but

it was nothing compared to the inside. I listened to the religious singing in another language,

yet it still managed to stir my heart. The room smelled clean with a fresh hint of something I

could only guess as incense. The room felt cold as the wind blew in behind me because of the

entrance of another person. I shivered—then lifted my eyes up to better view the decoration

of the church. Gold was everywhere; it seemed to decorate almost every aspect of the large

room. Every inch of the walls and ceilings were covered with religious symbols and icons.

Because I did not know better, I assumed they were all saints, but some of them also

seemed to tell a story. It is a story I have yet to understand. But it was beautiful. I watch

as a woman; cross herself, kneel, stand up, and cross herself—over and over again. She was

covered in a simple dress and a head scarf. Never noticing anything else in the room, this

woman was completely focused on her prayer. As the other monks joined in in the ceremony

the song got louder and louder. Keeping my face to the front, I slowly backed out of the

echoing church.

I remained quiet for the next few minutes trying to process everything I saw in

there and figure out how I felt about it. I never would have guessed that I could be so

profoundly impacted by a monastery, but I was. The more monasteries we visit—the greater

my contemplations become. I have developed a great deal of respect for those religious

foundations—and something more. Something I cannot yet describe—has changed in my

beliefs…and I cannot wait to figure it out.