Architectural patrimony is one of the most representative pages of the cultural heritage of mankind, study and protection of which became mandatory norm of each country. Knowledge of the architecture goals allows us a better understanding of the historical past and their recovery and preservation should be part of a sustainable legal protection regime. The first years after the independence of the Republic of Moldovan, the authorities have tried to establish such regime – approving several national laws and adhering to various European and international conventions. After twenty years of independence, we find that the situation in the field of cultural patrimony protection in Moldova remains poor. Although, already in 1993, the Moldovan Parliament adopted the Law on Protection of Monuments and the Registry of Monuments Protected by State, subsequently ratified a number of conventions in the field, the executive authorities have made no ​​efforts to implement them. One of the strangest moments in this area was not publishing the Register of Monuments Protected by the State, which actually became a normative act until 2010. Thus, based on current legislation, only architectural targets and archaeological sites registered in the Registry of Monuments Protected by State are under the official protection of the State. State officials’ ignorance and indifference of citizens to our cultural heritage led to the deterioration and destruction of a number of architectural heritage sites over two decades of independence.

In 2010-2012, Agency of Inspection and Restoration of Monuments conducted inspection of monuments of national importance included in the Register of Monuments Protected by the State. Until now the evaluation of 1050 monument of the 32 districts was carried out. Among the inspected sites are those of religious architecture. As a result of these visits, we noticed a disastrous situation in terms of preventive conservation of historical patrimony in Moldova. Thus, during 1993-2011 were destroyed 22 wooden churches that are registered as monuments protected by the State, a particularly grave situation was found in: the Church “Sf. Arhanghel Mihail” of Hiliuti village, Riscani district, the church “Sf. Nicholae” of Napadeni, Ungheni district, the church “Sf. Arhanghel Mihail si Gavril” of Vorniceni village, Straseni district and the church “Sf. Trifan” of Cotul Morii village, Hincesti district. About 1\3 of the 332 inspected churches were mutilated by degrading interventions, most often without the permission of authorities empowered by law with responsibility for authorizing such interventions. Also 31 churches in various regions of the country are currently in an unsatisfactory situation and do not meet the standards of preventive conservation. Similarly, in most historical monasteries protected by State interventions were undertaken that have seriously damaged the monument authenticity and value.

Wooden church “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” (Assumption) of Macareuca village, Drochia district. A wooden church, covered with straw was recorded in 1793. No doubt it is wooden church that persists today. In 1874, the church was repaired. For centuries it was a spiritual mother of Christians of Macareuca, of aristocratic family and those who worked hard on Russo dynasty acre.

The first minister of the church of Macareuca, found in the writings of the time, is the psalmist Vasile Corcodel from Sangera. Until now in the porch of the church a crypt is preserved, where squire Nicolae Russo wife and her niece are buried. People from adjacent villages – Palanca and Holosnita Noua came to this church to worship God.

From 1910 until 1917, the priest Stefan Luchianov, born in 1875, graduated from the Theological Seminary served at the church. His tomb is in the church yard. With Father Stefan, came the singer Stefan Singureanu, born on December 1, 1879, graduate of Cantor School. The endowed singer served in the church pew until the arrival of the Soviets. For seven years, the parish church was led Timotei Ostapov, born in 1894, graduated from the Theological Seminary. After his transferring to Suri, he was replaced by Father Mihail Ostapov, born on April 28, 1896, graduated from the Theological Seminary. By the 30s he served the church and the Father Vasile Iachim. His Holiness was succeeded by Father Grigore. (Fig.1)

The barbaric wave of communist ideology on closing, desecration and devastation of sanctuaries started in the late 50s. The Father Nicolae Ursachi celebrated the last service, praying to God for forgiveness of sins to those lost. The wooden church was closed. Father Nicolae has found eternal rest in the churchyard. As was fashionable, the wooden church was turned into an ethnographic museum. Devoted Father Ioan Grigoras, descending from godly families from Palanca and Macareuca, managed, with tact and understanding, to take the most sacred things: the Royal Doors of the old wooden church, number of priceless ancient icons and other religious objects, to keep them in holy place of Zgurita church, which he served. All these were returned, placed and used in the new stone church.

Currently there are two churches at Macareuca: the wooden, which tells us about the continuance of centuries of Christian faith and the new, stone structure, symbol of Christian resistance to weather adversities and unwavering desire to follow the commandments and the ways of God.

Since 1995, at the church of Macareuca serves the rector Gheorghe Cojocaru. Father Gheorghe, aided by Christians from Macareuca, made a cosmetic repair in the wooden church in 2000. From then until today, for lack of means, the wooden church, this treasure of the Bessarabia Orthodox, was left forgotten.

Currently, the wooden church of Macareuca is in a damaged state. The tower of the church has tilted in recent years more and is ready to fall any moment. Services are not held in the church, because it is in urgent need of restoration (Mihail Borta, Newspaper Flux, July 9, 2009). (Fig.1)

Wooden church “Sf. Arhanghel Mihail” of Hiliuti village, Rascani district.

The church built in 1808 is part of the monument of “cottage” without dome, with bell-tower attached. Narthex and nave is rectangular, the same width as the pentagonal apse. The bell-tower attached to the narthex has two tiers. All three sections have a common gable the roof, which repeats the plan configuration. Except nave with semi-circular arch, other rooms were the bridge horizontal. Ridge of the roof has two bulbs with crosses at the ends. The walls of the church are built on a foundation of stone. Inside there is a perforated Baroque iconostasis. It is an architectural monument of national importance. It is now at risk of total demolition, the walls and roof are in a state of degradation. (Fig.2)

The church “Sf. Arhangheli Mihail si Gavriil” of Petruseni village, Rascani district.

Church “Sfintii Arhangheli Mihail si Gavriil” of Petruseni built in 1702, is considered to be one of the oldest wooden churches in Bessarabia. This church was an eloquent example of popular religious architecture, rural artisans following the old traditions of medieval wooden architecture. Divided into nave, narthex and altar, it had a high roof, in four water covered with shingles. The church entrance is in the South of the octagonal annex. Wooden walls were raised on a stone foundation. The nave and chancel are covered with imitation of octagonal vaults. The bell tower has two levels and adjoins the church narthex, communicating with it through an intermediate room. In 1994, a fire burned the church to the ground. No restoration works were undertaken. Two famous icons with images of Pantocrator and the Virgin Mary Hodegetria, of folk craftsmanship were kept in the church. The icon of  the Pantocrator had the inscription “Come blessing ...” Torched church was replaced by a stone church in 1998. (Fig.3)

Wooden church “Sf. Arhangheli Mihail si Gavriil” of Vorniceni village, Straseni district.

Wooden church “Sf. Arhangheli Mihail si Gavriil”, built in 1904, was home to the local priest and church school. It is an architectural monument of national importance. The Church of Vorniceni is interesting because it is built on a “pedestal” of stone, has the plastered walls and has a massive octagonal wooden belfry, above the narthex. It is in a state of advanced decay. There is a risk that the walls would collapse. (Fig.4)

Stefanita Ion
Agency for Inspection and Restoration of Monuments
Republic of Moldova