The founders of Putna Monastery were commemorated last Friday after the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by Archbishop Juraj of Michalovce and Košice from the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, along with Assistant Bishops Damaschin of Dorna and Atanasie of Bogdania.

Commemorating the Founders: A Sacred Tradition

“Commemorating the founders is a particularly important act in the life of a monastery,” explained Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic, Abbot of Putna Monastery, after the memorial service on August 16.

He emphasized that two of the monastery’s founders, Saint Stephen the Great and Saint Jacob of Putna, have been canonized.

Becoming a Spiritual Founder

Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic also spoke about the calling of every individual to be a “founder of souls” through care and kindness.

“If you hear that someone is in trouble, stand by them. If someone needs financial help and you have the means, go and support them. If you cannot do this, offer a word of wisdom and encouragement, and you have become a founder of that soul.”

Saint Stephen’s Vision of Monastic Life

The abbot highlighted how Saint Stephen the Great understood the role of monks, whom he called “my intercessors.”

“Saint Stephen recognized the purpose of monks in a nation, which is why he founded monasteries. He supported the few monasteries that already existed in Moldova and understood the importance of monks for the whole world, which is why he also supported the monasteries of Mount Athos.”

Pilgrimage as a Search for God

Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic concluded by emphasizing that pilgrimage to monasteries is not merely an act of devotion but a conscious search for God and an acknowledgement of the monks’ sacrifice.

“Pilgrims who visit monasteries understand or feel drawn to the purpose of monasteries as places of sacrifice and as places where God’s grace is received,” he added.