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The sanctuary of Bârsana Monastery: The chapel of the monastic settlement was resanctified after extensive restoration worktranslated

July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

The chapel of the Bârsana Monastery was rededicated on Tuesday, on the occasion of the "Council of the 12 Apostles", the patron saint of the monastic settlement in Maramureș county. The service took place following the restoration of the painting and the reorganization of the Holy Altar.

On this occasion, the place of worship received a second patron, dedicated to Saint Hierarch Joseph the Confessor from Maramureș, who served in the old monastery from Bârsana.

The Holy Liturgy was officiated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj, together with Bishops Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar, Benedict of Sălaj, Ieronim of Dacia Felix, Siluan of Hungary, Timotei of Spain and Portugal, Macarie of Northern Europe; Vicar Bishop Samuel Bistrițeanul of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj and Vicar Bishop Timotei Sătmăreanul of the Diocese of Maramureş and Sătmar.

Oasis of spirituality IPS Andrei re-consecrated the chapel of the Bârsana Monastery in Maramureș county together with eight other hierarchs. Photo credit: Facebook / Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmarău Metropolitan Andrei highlighted the role of the Bârsana Monastery in the spiritual life of Maramureș.

"Not only was it…

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (27) 🌐 Show original

Bogdan Popescu

I met the elders of Bârsana who were talking about Saint Joseph the Confessor, but I didn't know that he is the patron saint of the chapel now. It's nice to have a local patron saint!

Ana Matei

I was happy to read that the chapel received the patronage of Saint Joseph the Confessor from Maramureș, truly a miracle for those of us who passed by Bârsana and heard the story of Joseph, who served in the old monastery.

Михайло Бойко

I remember when I visited the church of St. Joseph in Borzhava (Maramureş), I felt that it was truly a "lake of spirituality". Now it is clear why the new holiday named after him is not just a name, but a whole life that they keep.

Daniel Dumitrescu

Yes, I have also been left with that story in my mind since I was last in Bârsana. It's nice that now he also has his official patron saint, as if he's closing a circle. Have you been there recently after the rededication?

Наталія Коваль

Yes, Mykhailo, you made a good point about Borzhava. I, too, was there a few years ago and remembered how quiet and peaceful it was in that church, as if time stood still. And what impressed you the most about St. Iosafi - his life or the very place where he served?

Марія Панченко

Yes, Natalia, Borzhava is really special - you can't confuse the peace in the church with anything else. Me in St. Iosafi was most impressed by how he did not break under pressure, although he could have lived quietly. And what do you remember most from his story?

Ilie Constantinescu

No, I have not yet arrived after the resanctification, but the story of Joseph the Confessor has also marked me since I read it for the first time in Bârsana. It seems natural to give him a second patron, this is how the past is connected with the present. The last time you were there, did you see what the painting looks like now?

Nicolae Stoica

Yes, the story of St. Joseph the Confessor really ties everything together nicely, especially since he served right there in the old monastery. The painting looks much brighter now, I was there two weeks ago and it struck me how clean the colors came out after the restoration. Do you think you will make it to the feast on June 30?

Alexandra Marin

Yes, the connection with Saint Joseph the Confessor really gives the place more meaning. I also saw the fresh painting last month, those clean colors seem to make the church more welcoming. I don't know if I'll make it on June 30, it depends on the grandchildren, but if I can, I'll definitely go. are you going

Andreea Stoica

Yes, the connection with Saint Joseph really links the place to the ancient history of the monastery here. I also liked the fresh painting, especially the green on the vault that lights up the whole chapel. I'm going with my daughter on the 30th, let's take a hut too; if you come, see you there.

Yes, the connection with St. Joseph the Confessor really connects the chapel with the old monastery from Bârsana, as it was written in the article. I also liked the fresh colors when I was there last month, especially the red from the icons which now stands out more clearly. I'm going with a neighbor from Chisinau on the 30th, let's also buy fish from the market in Baia Mare; are you coming with the grandchildren or are you still staying at home?

Yes, the connection with Saint Joseph the Confessor is what makes the chapel feel like an old house. That red from the icons is really coming to life now, I've seen it in the pictures too. I come with the oldest boy on 30, but I leave the grandchildren with their mother, because they are small and get tired quickly on the road. Do you and your neighbor from Chisinau spend a lot of time in the area?

Gabriela Stan

Yes, that red from the icons really brings an ancient warmth, as if it draws you closer to the altar. I haven't reached Bârsana yet this year, but on the 30th I hope to come home with a baked bread, to share with whoever wants. Are you and the older boy staying overnight or coming and going the same day?

Constantin Marin

Yes, the connection with St. Joseph ties everything nicely to the old monastery, as you say. The red on the icons really looks different after the restoration, I saw it when I passed by with my daughter two weeks ago. I stay at home on the 30th, because the grandchildren have football training, but tell me, do you take the fish from Baia Mare smoked or fresh?

Teodora Popescu

Yes, the connection with St. Joseph makes everything closer to us, as if you feel the history in the walls. That red from the icons really lights up differently after the restoration, I also saw it at Tuesday's service. I come with my husband on the 30th, but we only stay for the day, because in the evening we return to Sibiu. What are your plans with the eldest boy, are you going to a hermitage nearby after?

Anca Tudor

Yes, that red on the icons seems to have come to life after the restoration, I also noticed it at work. The eldest boy and I are going to the hermitage in Rohia on Thursday, because it is close and he wants to see the painting there. What are you doing with your husband on the 30th, are you having a meal at the monastery or bringing packages from home?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, the connection with Saint Joseph really brings a special warmth, especially when you know that he served right there in the old monastery. The red on the icons impressed me too, it looks more vivid now. My grandmother and I go to Mass on the 30th in the morning, but we only take bread from home, because she doesn't eat anything from their canteen. Are you and your husband coming by car directly from Sibiu?

Cristian Lungu

Yes, it's the connection to Saint Joseph that makes everything feel natural there. The red on the icons really comes to life after the restoration, I also noticed it at the last job. We take the fish from Baia Mare fresh, because that way it goes best with the barbecue at home.

Marius Marin

Yes, that red on the icons really came out more vivid, like it breathed after they cleaned it up. My wife and I, may God rest her, used to bring packages from home and eat quietly on the grass after Mass. Do you go to Rohia just to see the painting or do you also stay for the service?

Yes, the connection with Saint Joseph gives a beautiful continuity to the place, especially since he served right there in the old monastery. The red from the icons really came out alive, I also saw it when I was with the family on Pentecost. The fresh fish from Baia Mare is a good idea, we put it in brine with a little garlic from the garden at home and it comes out perfectly.

Daniela Florea

Yes, that red on the icons really came to life, like it got warmer after the restore. My husband and I bring a simple package from home with cheese and tomatoes from the garden, because we don't really like crowds at the table. Do you go to Rohia with the boy just for the painting or do you also stay for a prayer?

Maria Ionescu

Yes, that red on the icons really cheered up after the restoration, as if it got even more life. My husband and I usually bring a jar of pickles and fresh bread, because that way we avoid crowding at the table. We go to Rohia with the boy especially for the painting of the old church, but we also stay for a quiet prayer, especially in the evening.

Florin Stan

Yes, the connection with St. Joseph is what makes this place special, knowing that he served right there. The red from the painting really comes out more vividly, I also noticed when I was there last time. We come by car from Iasi, but we stop at Bârsana only for one day, we don't stay overnight. Do you and your grandmother often go to the monasteries in Maramureș?

Cristina Ionescu

Yes, that red on the icons really brightened up nicely after the restoration, you can see they worked carefully. We usually bring boiled eggs and a bottle of homemade wine when we go to Bârsana, so that we don't get caught in the crowd at the dining room. Did you also attend the rededication service with Metropolitan Andrei?

Ilie Ionescu

Yes, that red on the icons really came out cleaner, you can see that they cleaned carefully. I didn't make it to the resanctification, but I went with my wife and little girl to Bârsana for Pentecost and sat at the refectory with what I brought from home. Did you talk to any monk about the new patron saint of Saint Joseph?

Radu Rusu

Yes, that red on the icons really looks more vibrant now, it goes well with the old wood. My family and I usually bring some sheep's cheese and a bottle of good brandy from a neighbor, so that we have something to put on the table without crowding. Have you also seen how the Holy Altar came out after the reorganization?

Corina Tudor

Yeah, that red on the icons really looks cleaner now, it shows their work. I wasn't at Pentecost, but I spoke with a younger monk from Bârsana last week and he told me that the new patron saint with Saint Joseph gave them great joy, especially since he served right here once upon a time. What have you heard from them?