Historical Facts

The Monastery “Exaltation of the Holy Cross” Caraiman is an orthodox monastery, founded in 1998, at the initiative of Most Devout Father Gherontie Puiu.

It is situated on the Prahova Valley in the town Buşteni, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, in a glade, which has in its center a fir tree with a unique shape.

Father Gherontie Puiu had a dream about Virgin Mary, when he was sick and hospitalized after a stroke. Virgin Mary told him: “You will find a fir tree with six branches, near a stream, on a realm where you can see the great Cross. Build the monastery there!”

After this dream, father Gherontie Puiu found the indicated place with Virgin Mary’s help, in this wonderful area of Romania, on the Prahova Valley.

The mountains dressed in the honest green of the fir trees were like a fortress, which protected the glade where the monastery was going to be built. The bright colour of the sky induces you a state of peace, and the Cross from the peak of Caraiman is like a messenger of faith, who is looking at the sunny glade.

In October 1988, the Archiepiscopacy of Bucharest, respectively the Caraiman Hermitage, is receiving through a Decision of the Local Council of the town Buşteni, a land area of 13.000 square metres, in order to build a monastery.

Afterwards, the land area was supplemented with 4.500 square metres in 2001 and 6.000 square metres in 2002, summing up an area of 23.500 square metres, having a legal qualification of concession.

On 29th June 2000, Blessed in Alms Patriarch Theoctistus Arăpaşu, approved the funding of the Caraiman Hermitage with the patron of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”. The place was consecrated by All-Holy Teodosie Snagoveanu, at that time Vicar Bishop of the Archiepiscopacy of Bucharest, currently Archbishop of Tomis.

Between 2000-2001 was built the wooden church with the patron of the “Virgin Mary’s Shelter”, a Pot for the holy water and a body cells. On the 21st of October 2001, the wooden church with the patron of the “Virgin Mary’s Shelter”, is consecrated by All-Holy Sebastian Ilfoveanu, Vicar Bishop of the Archiepiscopacy of Bucharest, and then is put the cornerstone for building a new church, of bulwark, with the patron of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”.

Between 2002-2007 were built the big Church with the patron of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”, the belfry, the refectory, respectively one of the xenodochium bodies. In the fall of 2007 began the construction of the cells.

Between 2007-2010 the construction works of the cells bodies were completed, as well as the second body of the xenodochium.

On the 1st of July 2008 the Caraiman Hermitage – with the patron of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”, was elevated to the rank of monastery.

Starting with the month July 2010, the Caraiman Monastery got a new abbot in the person of Father David Petrovici, who came from Crasna Monastery, Prahova district, in order to help father Gherontie Puiu to complete the building of the monastery from the foot of the Caraiman peak.

Between 2011-2012 were completed the construction works of the second body of the building of xenodochium and it was built the body building Tabor I where the activity of the Social Pastoral Center “Holy Cross” is being carried out.

In 2012 in the belfry was built a Hierarch chapel with the patron of: “Holy Prophet Ilie Tesviteanul” and “The Transfiguration of the Lord”.

On the 20th of July, during the commemoration of Holy Prophet Ilie Tesviteanul was consecrated the Hierarch chapel and the Social Pastoral Center “Holy Cross”. The holy sevice was committed by Blessed Father Patriarch DANIEL, surrounded by a group of priests and deacons.

In May 2014, the monastery is going through a tough time because Most Devout, father Protos, Gherontie Puiu, proabbot and founder of the Caraiman Monastery was called to God, at the age of 81, leaving behind a beautiful monastery and a parish, which will carry on the works begun.

With the help of mighty God, with a support coming from the faithful pilgrims and with the labour of the fathers of this monastery, in September 2014 were completed the works from the big Church of the Monastery.

On the 14th September 2014, when it’s celebrated the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, was committed the service of consecration of the big Church with the patron of “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross”.

The service was committed by Blessed Father Patriarch DANIEL, surrounded by an impressive group of hierarchs, priests and deacons. At this event attended all abbots and abbess from the Archiepiscopacy of Bucharest as well as a large number of believers from all around the country.

On this occasion the big Church also received the second patron “Lord’s Resurrection”.

The place where the monastery was built is a place blessed by God, an ideal place to detach yourself from everyday worries. Believers, who come here are filled with a special thrill, a state of tranquility and peace.

This is the best place to meditate on the words of the disciple John, who says in the Apocalypse: “And night will not be; and they have no need of lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will be their light and their will reign forever and ever.”(John 22,6)

Accommodation and Meals for the Believers

Conferences and Trainings

Helping the construction of the monastery

Events