Precious icon returned to the museum heritage of the Cernica Monastery

A fragment of the old tapestry of the “Saint Nicholas” Church at the Cernica Monastery made at the end of the 18th century returned on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to the monastic settlement’s heritage after 40 years. The icon entitled “Sunday of Samarinence” was donated by the Association of Art Dealers in Romania (ACOAR) and the Artmark Auction House. The donor expressed his desire to remain anonymous, informs TRINITAS TV.

The fragment of the scroll was presented to the Cernica Monastery during an event organized at the “Cesianu‑Racoviță” Palace in the Capital. The press conference was attended by representatives of the monastic establishment, the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Artmark Auction House.

In addition to the donation, the old owner restored the piece, which belongs to the Romanian school of religious painting practiced on the territory of our country since the end of the 18th century: “Now, through the Artmark House, it returns next to most of the pieces from the old catapeteasma and this icon , which was painted within the Cernica school of painting, which was run by parents from the monastery. They also left as a testimony the iconostasis from the Chapel of “Saint Demetrius”, the Church of “Saint Nicholas”, the Church of “Saint George the Great Martyr”, all of which were painted by icon craftsmen from our monastery. This icon dates from the period 1812-1816, it was not completed in a single year”, Protos told TRINITAS TV. Vasile Pîrjol, abbot of the monastic settlement.

Vasile Bănescu, the spokesperson of the Romanian Patriarchate, was also present at the event, who spoke about the symbolism of the scene of this icon, at the same time sending thanks to the donor and the organizers. “Any act of generosity brings joy. It is the feeling we have in these moments when we witnessed the return to the museum heritage of the Cernica Monastery of a very precious, very beautiful icon. Generosity attracts joy and gratitude. That’s why I’m here, to thank, including on behalf of the institution I represent, those who made this gesture possible, which deserves all our attention and thanks. We thank the former owner of this icon, who wished to be anonymous, which denotes pure generosity”, said the spokesperson of the Romanian Patriarchate.

The fragment of the iconostasis, as well as the other pieces from the pediment of the “Saint Nicholas” Church, can be admired in the Cernica Monastery Museum.