This pilgrimage leads to the heart of Orthodox Romania, where faith, history, and monastic life have endured for centuries. Northern Romania, especially Bukovina, Maramureș, and Moldavia, preserves a continuous Orthodox tradition shaped by prayer, struggle, and fidelity.

Bukovina is known for its painted monasteries, built mainly in the 15th–16th centuries under the patronage of Saint Stephen the Great, ruler of Moldavia and defender of Orthodoxy. Their exterior frescoes, including the Last Judgment at Voroneț and the Tree of Jesse at Sucevița, were created as theological instruction during periods of Ottoman pressure. These monasteries remain active, governed by the liturgical rhythm of the Church.

In Maramureș, the pilgrimage includes Bârsana Monastery, an important center of traditional wooden church architecture. The new monastic church, constructed entirely of wood without nails, is often described as a “wooden miracle.” It reflects the survival of ancient building techniques and the Orthodox understanding of beauty as an expression of worship.

The pilgrimage continues to Neamț Monastery, the oldest and most influential monastic center in Moldavia, founded in the 14th century. It became a major spiritual and theological center, especially through Saint Paisius Velichkovsky, whose restoration of hesychastic life and patristic study influenced monasticism throughout the Orthodox world.

Closely connected to this tradition is Saint Daniil the Hesychast, a 15th-century ascetic and spiritual elder, known as the counselor of Saint Stephen the Great. Living in prayer and solitude near Putna, he embodied the hesychastic ideal and guided both rulers and monks toward repentance and inner watchfulness.

In Iași, pilgrims venerate the relics of Saint Paraskeva the New, brought to the city in 1641. Her relics have been continuously revered for centuries, and she remains one of the most beloved saints of the Romanian people, associated with repentance, healing, and perseverance in faith.

The pilgrimage also includes veneration of Saint John the New of Suceava, a 14th-century Orthodox martyr who suffered death for his confession of Christ. His relics stand as a witness to faithfulness under persecution and have long been a source of strength for the faithful.

This pilgrimage is an encounter with living Orthodoxy, where monasteries are places of prayer, saints remain present in the life of the Church, and history is preserved through continuity, not display.

Arrive at Iași International Airport (IATA: IAS)
Upon arrival at Iași International Airport, you will be greeted in the arrivals area by a designated representative holding a sign that reads “OCA Pilgrim Group.” They will assist you with gathering the group and guiding you to the transportation area.

A group ride will be provided for the transfer to the hotel. If needed, a private ride can be arranged upon request. Assistance with luggage and check-in will also be available as needed.

In the evening, gather in the hotel dining area for a Welcome Dinner, where you will meet your fellow pilgrims and will be briefed on the logistics of the upcoming itinerary.

After breakfast, we depart Iași and travel north toward the historical region of Bukovina.

Our first stop is Dragomirna Monastery, founded in the early 17th century by Metropolitan Anastasie Crimca. The monastery is known for its tall, slender church and detailed carved stone decoration, characteristic features of late Moldavian architecture. Its strong defensive walls reflect the instability of the period in which it was built. We will visit the church and monastery grounds and learn about its role as a religious and cultural center.

Then we continue to Suceava, the former medieval capital of Moldavia.

In Suceava, we visit Saint George’s Church (Sfântul Gheorghe), part of the former Princely Court complex. Built at the end of the 14th century, it preserves important medieval frescoes. The church also houses the relics of St. John the New of Suceava, the city’s patron saint.
St. John the New was a 14th-century merchant from Trebizond who openly confessed the Christian faith while traveling through Crimea. He suffered martyrdom for refusing to renounce Christ. His relics were brought to Suceava in 1402 and have remained a source of veneration for Romanian Orthodox faithful ever since. Pilgrims regularly come to the church to seek his prayerful intercession.

Lunch and Optional Walk

A lunch break follows in Suceava. Time permitting, there may be an optional walking tour of the city, including the area around the Princely Court or nearby historical landmarks.

In the afternoon, we drive toward Vatra Dornei for our overnight stay.

Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel and have dinner.

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the traditional culture and distinctive wooden architecture of Maramureș, a region known for its preserved villages and craftsmanship.

Our first visit is to a 235-year-old traditional household in Dragomirești, an authentic example of rural Maramureș domestic architecture. This stop offers insight into traditional wooden construction, household tools, and the daily rhythm of village life in past centuries.

We continue to the Wooden Church of Ieud, dated to the 17 century and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered the oldest wooden church in Maramureș, it preserves early carpentry techniques and interior decorations that reflect the spiritual and artistic heritage of the region.

Our next stop is the Wooden Church of Bogdan Vodă, built in 1722 and linked to the memory of Bogdan I, founder of medieval Moldavia. The church stands out for its tall, narrow silhouette and finely executed wooden craftsmanship.

Iza Village Walking Tour

We then continue to Iza Village for a walking tour. Depending on availability and timing, we will visit several local artisans and traditional installations. Options include an icon-painting workshop, a plum-brandy distillery, the water-powered wool-washing installation, and the village church. At least some of these visits will be included as part of the day’s program, offering a firsthand look at the crafts and customs that shape village life in Maramureș.

In the afternoon, we visit Bârsana Monastery, a monastic complex rebuilt in the 1990s in the classic Maramureș wooden style. Its tall wooden spires, carved details, and peaceful grounds have made it one of the highlights of the region.

We then drive to Sighetu Marmației and check in at our hotel.

In the evening, we will enjoy a home-hosted folklore dinner, featuring local dishes, traditional music, and the warm hospitality of Maramureș families who continue to preserve the folk traditions of this region.

After breakfast, we depart Sighetu Marmației and begin our journey southeast toward the Bukovina region.

The day starts with a scenic drive along the Vișeu Valley, a route known for its forested hills, traditional villages, and views of the Maramureș Mountains. This valley has long served as a connection between Maramureș and northern Moldavia, and it remains one of the most picturesque corridors of northern Romania.

We continue toward the Prislop Pass, where we visit Prislop Monastery, originally founded in the 18th century. Set at a high elevation, the monastery has served as a mountain hermitage and a place of retreat for monks seeking solitude. The site combines natural beauty with a long monastic presence, reflecting the spiritual traditions that shaped life in these remote areas.

Our journey takes us farther into Bukovina, arriving in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, a town known for its artisans and longstanding folk traditions. Here we attend a private demonstration of traditional egg-painting, a craft for which Bukovina is internationally renowned. The demonstration offers insight into the symbolism, techniques, and patience required to create these intricately decorated eggs.

In the late afternoon, we continue to Gura Humorului, where we settle in for the evening, preparing for visits to some of Bukovina’s most important monastic sites in the days ahead.

After breakfast, we set out to explore several of the most significant painted monasteries of southern Bukovina, each known for its unique architectural style and theological fresco program.

Our first visit is Voroneț Monastery, founded in 1488 by Stephen the Great. Often called the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” Voroneț is famous for its intense blue pigment and its large Last Judgment fresco covering the western exterior wall.

Saint Daniel the Hermit, the spiritual father of Stephen the Great, advised the prince to build the monastery following a victorious battle. His grave is inside the church, and his role as a spiritual guide remains central to Voroneț’s history.

We continue to Moldovița Monastery, built in 1532 under Prince Petru Rareș, son of Stephen the Great. The monastery is known for its richly colored exterior frescoes, including the Siege of Constantinople and the Tree of Jesse. Moldovița received the UNESCO Golden Apple Award in recognition of its cultural and artistic value.

We stop for lunch in Sucevița village, a quiet settlement lying in the valley between forested hills and well-known for its traditional crafts and monastic culture.

After lunch, we visit Sucevița Monastery, constructed at the end of the 16th century by the Movilești family. The complex has the appearance of a fortress, complete with high walls and corner towers. Its most famous fresco is the Ladder of Divine Ascent, based on the teachings of St. John of Sinai (St. John Climacus).

St. John Climacus was a 7th-century monk of St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount

In the afternoon, we travel to Putna Monastery, founded in 1466 by Stephen the Great and considered one of the most important spiritual centers of Romania. Stephen the Great, canonized as St. Stephen the Righteous Voivode, is buried here. He ruled Moldavia for nearly 50 years and built numerous churches and monasteries in gratitude for victories in defense of the faith.

Near the monastery, we visit the Cave of St. Daniel the Hesychast, where the saint lived in prayer before becoming spiritual advisor to Stephen. This small hermitage reflects the region’s long tradition of solitary ascetic life.

Later in the evening we will return to our hotel in Gura Humorului

After an early departure, travel approximately two hours to Neamț Monastery to participate in the Divine Liturgy. Founded in the 14th century and rebuilt under Saint Stephen the Great in the late 15th century, Neamț is the oldest and most influential medieval monastery in Moldavia. It developed into a major center of Orthodox theology, manuscript copying, and education. Its historic library, holding over 18,000 volumes, preserves some of the most important religious texts in Romanian Orthodoxy. In the 18th century, the monastery became closely associated with Saint Paisius Velichkovsky, whose revival of patristic study and hesychastic prayer renewed monastic life throughout Eastern Europe and beyond.

After breakfast, continue south to Sihăstria Monastery, founded in 1655 as a remote hermitage. In the 20th century it gained widespread spiritual significance through Father Cleopa Ilie, one of Romania’s most revered spiritual elders, whose teachings attracted monks and pilgrims from across the Orthodox world. Surrounded by dense forest, Sihăstria reflects the hesychastic ideal of withdrawal, prayer, and inner watchfulness.

From Sihăstria, proceed to Sihla Monastery, set deep in the Carpathian forests and traditionally regarded as one of Romania’s most secluded pilgrimage sites. The monastery is closely linked to Saint Teodora of Sihla, the foremost female hermit in Romanian Orthodoxy, who lived a life of ascetic struggle in the surrounding wilderness. Her cave, located near the monastery, remains a place of pilgrimage and silent prayer.

The day concludes at Agapia Monastery, founded in the mid-17th century and home to one of the largest and most active communities of Orthodox nuns in Romania. Its church is distinguished by interior frescoes painted in the 19th century by Nicolae Grigorescu, one of Romania’s greatest artists, whose work blends traditional Byzantine iconography with elements of Western Romanticism while remaining within the spiritual ethos of the Church.

Transfer to Yasi for an overnight.

Your first stop is the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in Romania. Completed in the late 19th century in an Italianate Baroque style, it houses the revered relics of Saint Paraskeva, one of Eastern Orthodoxy’s most venerated female saints and the spiritual protector of Moldavia. Saint Paraskeva the New was an 11th-century ascetic who lived a life of humility, fasting, and prayer near the Sea of Marmara. After her repose, her relics became renowned for miracles and consolation, and since their transfer to Iași in 1641, they have been a constant source of pilgrimage and devotion for the Orthodox faithful.

Continue to the Church of the Three Hierarchs, founded in 1637 by Prince Vasile Lupu. The church is renowned for its intricately carved stone façade, adorned with thousands of decorative motifs inspired by Armenian, Georgian, and Oriental artistic traditions. In 1640, Moldavia’s first printing press was established here, marking a decisive moment in the cultural and theological history of the region.

Proceed to Golia Monastery, a fortified monastic complex with origins in the 16th century, rebuilt in the 17th century under Prince Vasile Lupu. Its massive defensive walls and imposing 30-meter tower are characteristic of medieval Moldavian military architecture. The monastery is also associated with the beloved Romanian writer Ion Creangă, who once served here as a deacon.

The visit concludes with a tour of the Palace of Culture, a grand early 20th-century neo-Gothic landmark and the architectural symbol of Iași.

The remainder of the day is at leisure, followed by a farewell dinner.

Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to Iași International Airport (IATA: IAS) for departure back home.