Moldovița Monastery once again resounded with carols and the voices of children who came to announce the Birth of the Lord. In a setting filled with history and faith, over a hundred children sang old carols, preserved from generation to generation, during the sixth edition of the event "Cultural Offerings – Carols and Gifts for the Child, on the Virgin Mother’s Knees", organized by the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania together with the Suceava County School Inspectorate.
Under the nearly five hundred-year-old vaults, songs filled the church with light and emotion. The children say that here, more than anywhere else, they feel closer to God. "The monastery gives me a feeling of blessing in my soul and I seem to be getting closer to God," confessed one of the little carol singers.
This year, the event was dedicated to teacher Daniela Ceredeev, winner of the "Exceptional Teachers League" 2024 campaign, a teacher known for the way she transmits to children her love for faith, culture and tradition. "It is important to expose children to monuments like the Moldovița Monastery, to the values promoted by the church, the school and the family at the same time," the teacher said.
The abbess of the monastery, stavrophore Ecaterina, explained why children's voices have a special place in this celebration: "We very much wanted children's choirs to be among the participants, because their crystalline voices make carols sound different."
In addition to the festive atmosphere, the children received gifts from the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, a gesture that has become a tradition over the last six years. The aim is to show the children that the joy of Christmas means, above all, generosity.
The Moldovița Monastery, included in the UNESCO World Heritage since 1993, is one of the most beautiful foundations of the ruler Petru Rareș. Its exterior paintings, almost 500 years old, are considered among the most valuable in the world. The "Siege of Constantinople" scene painted on the southern wall is one of the best-known depictions of Byzantine art in Eastern Europe.
The event ended with the traditional greeting "Happy New Year and see you all in heaven!", delivered by the participants to the applause of those present.
Through such actions, the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania continues to bring a simple message to schools and communities: tradition and education go hand in hand. And in Moldovița, carols are a living form of faith and joy, linking the generations together and giving Christmas the pure meaning of the beginning.
