Yesterday it was Sunday and as I am still in holidays, I've decided to go visit the cave of Saint Andrew, which is the apostle of the Romanians. I had to drive about one hour and a half from my sea side flat and I think it was worth it in order to discover a small part of my roots on this earth. After I got there I found out from the readings present there that in the old days when the Apostles cast lots decided where to preach, Saint Andrew was assigned Scythia, which now is known as the modern day Dobrogea (South-Eastern Romania). It is believed he has preached the Gospel to the Getae Dacian ancestors during the 1st century AD. References to his mission in Scythia appear in the works of early Christian chroniclers like Hippolytus of Rome (3rd century) and Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century).
The Saint Andrew's cave is located near the village of Ion Corvin (Constanta County), which is often called the "Bethlehem of Romanian Christianity." It is believed to be the place where the Apostle lived and prayed. Inside the cave there is a X-Shaped Cross which is known as "Saint Andrew's Cross" and it represents his martyrdom in Patras. This symbol is widely recognized in Romanian religious art and heraldry and I found it pretty interesting. The cave itself wasn't spectacular, the people visiting it seem a little bit out of resonance with the value of it, but I tried to look at it from the side and simply recognize and treasure it for what it is.
Beside the cave itself, there is also a big church and also the Spring of Saint Andrew which is another sacred site located in the immediate vicinity of Saint Andrew's Cave Monastery. According to local legends, when Saint Andrew arrived in this arid region, there was no water. He is said to have struck a rock with his staff, causing the spring to gush forth. The spring is believed by many pilgrims to have healing properties. The stream that flows through the nearby forest is actually formed by the union of nine separate springs.
I must say that it was a nice visit and something new that I've learned and experienced from visiting the Cave of Saint Andrew, the Apostle of Romanians. It was a peaceful day and I felt interior balance, which sometimes we all are seeking.