“Saint Filofteia” small Church

"SAINT FILOFTEIA" SMALL CHURCH Saint Martyr Filofteia (Greek for "lover of God"), of Romanian origin, lived at the beginning of the 13th century in what is now Bulgaria, in Tarnovo (today Velico Tarnovo), the capital of the Bulgarian Empire. When it was occupied by the Turks, the relics of the martyr were given to ruler Mircea the Elder (1386-1418), who placed them in "Saint Nicholas" Church of Curtea de Argeș, then a metropolitan cathedral, founded by ruler Basarab I the Founder. During the First World War the relics were brought to the chapel of Antim Monastery in Bucharest, then returned to Curtea de Argeș and they are housed in the great church founded by Neagoe Voda Basarab. Saint Martyr Filofteia, who became the patron saint of Wallachia, is celebrated on 7th December, and her relics are honoured throughout the country. In times of calamity, especially in times of drought, processions have been made across the country with the relics of the martyr. In 1867 Buzău County was struggling in a terrible drought. The believers decided to bring here the relics of Saint Filofteia from Curtea de Argeș. When they arrived with the relics at the edge of Crâng of Buzău, it is said that a real flood started. To mark this miracle, a cross was erected here first, then, in 1922, the current small church was built under the guidance of priest Ion Frăsineanu. In 1977, the church was consolidated and restored. The legend also says that, in 189, monk Anastase from Neamț Monastery dreamt of the Mother of God telling him to build a small church in Crâng Forest, because it would work miracles. After it was built, if one prayed on one's knees near the outer wall, drew the sign of the cross and stuck a coin on it, one's wishes could be granted. If the coin didn't stick, it was proof of unfulfilled wishes.