Young Germans are discovering the beauty of Orthodoxy through volunteer activities at Piatra Fântânele Monastery in Bistrița-Năsăud County, where they are taking part in a work camp.
The programme runs from 15 to 29 August and brings together 20 participants from the Evangelical Youth Association in Württemberg (EJW), the Cluj branch of the Association of Orthodox Christian Youth of Romania (ATCOR), and young people who grew up and received their formation within the monastic community.
Through their voluntary work, the participants are contributing to the development of the monastery’s new complex. They are also taking part in its liturgical programme, visits and activities through which they discover the traditions and distinctive characteristics of the two Christian communities.
The monastery currently cares for 32 children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through its “A Chance for Education” project.
Getting to know one another through work and fellowship
Margret Illi, coordinator of the German volunteers, told Basilica.ro that working together helps participants get to know local people directly.
She explained that language differences do not prevent the participants from growing closer: “We don’t understand the language, but we can work together, and in this way we gain a completely different perspective on the country and its people.”
The monastery experience also gives the German volunteers a chance to discover Orthodox life. The group coordinator spoke about praying together and attending the monastery’s services.
“Especially on Sunday, we simply experienced a service that was completely different from what we have in the Evangelical Church in Württemberg,” Margret Illi said.
A very strong bond
The coordinator of the German volunteers highlighted the continuity of the camps and the relationships that have developed over the years between participants and Piatra Fântânele Monastery.
“I think it is very good because it simply grows like a little snowball. You make a small snowball, roll it downhill, and it becomes bigger and bigger.”
“Our hope is that, just as we are now coming to Romania, groups of Romanians will continue to come to Germany as well,” she emphasised.
Margret Illi also spoke about the personal bond she has developed with Piatra Fântânele Monastery, which she had visited previously.
“I have already spent two months here during a period of retreat, and ever since then I have left my heart at the monastery, while the nuns have also remained in my heart. It is simply a very strong bond.”
More than 30 years of cooperation
Cooperation between the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj and the Evangelical Church in Württemberg began in 1995 and has since included work camps, reciprocal visits, workshops and exchanges of experience for young people.
Piatra Fântânele Monastery has previously hosted five such joint camps in 2003, 2004, 2016, 2019 and 2024, and this year’s edition continues the tradition of Romanian-German cooperation.
The coordinators of the Romanian youth group are Father Ștefan Iloaie, a university professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca, and Stavrophore Pamfilia Solcan, Abbess of Piatra Fântânele Monastery.
Photo: Fr. Ștefan Iloaie
