The story of this place can be told in many ways, starting chronologically, from the beginning or the end, giving it a spiritual, historical, emotional or heroic value. In fact, almost all stories about Serbian masters are similar in some way. These are universal tragic stories about good, suffering and the struggle for what is valuable to a nation to survive, which I believe is present in almost all nations of the world, but in a different form. But this soil is so shaken by wars, soaked in blood, that tragic stories about heroes take on mythical qualities, and the border between legends and reality disappears.
Brief historical facts
In short, the Saint Roman monastery is one of the oldest Serbian monasteries. It was built on the place where Saint Roman of Sinai was buried in the 9th century. After the death of St. Romanus, stories about the miraculous healings that took place near his grave began to spread. That's why a church and then a monastery were soon built on that spot. It was first mentioned at the beginning of the 11th century. The long and difficult history of these regions, full of wars, left him with heavy scars. In the 18th century, during the Austrian-Turkish war, it was razed to the ground and soon rebuilt. The time of communism, with the thesis that religion is an opium for the masses, takes away monastery properties, while during current history this place becomes more and more famous and interesting for tourists, believers, lovers of history and literature.
Humanity and caring
The following facts speak for the kindness and humanity of this monastery. In the 14th century, the brotherhood of the monastery took care of the mentally ill, which lasted intermittently until the Second World War. Also, during the First World War, war orphans, children up to 15 years of age, were housed here, and the monks also took care of them, fed them, clothed them and educated them. Most of them waited until the end of the war and were adopted in Belgrade, where they finished their education
Iteriror
The smell of incense, dimmed light, frescoes dating back to the eighteenth century are only part of the warm atmosphere and spirituality of the monastery.
Next to the church in the monastery there is a chapel of St. Roman with his relics. The chapel was painted in the thirties of the last century.
The love of Anna Karenina
Tolstoy found inspiration for Count Vronsky in the character of Colonel Nikola Rajevsky, who after Anna Karenina's suicide goes to Serbia to participate in the Serbian-Turkish war. We do not know the fate of Count Vronski, because the novel ends there, but the heart of Rajevsky, who heroically fought for the liberation of Serbia from the Turks, was buried in the grounds of this monastery. Namely, he died in battle near this monastery. His body was first transferred to Belgrade, where his mother Ana Rajevska also came, and then it was taken by ship, first to Odessa, and then buried on their family estate in Razumovka. Gorf Rajevski's wish was for his heart to remain in Serbia forever.
Colonel Rajevsky's grandfather fought against Napoleon and his family was famous in Russia. I heard in one show that he is also a distant relative of Tolstoy, but while I was googling for this post, I did not find that information anywhere. In any case, the idea of declaring war on the Turks was tantamount to Serbia's suicide, because the balance of power was such that the Serbs had almost no chance against the Turks. Volunteers came from Russia, so the act of Count Rajevoski's arrival was truly heroic, a struggle for ideals.
Holy Water
People often come to monasteries, praying for the healing of themselves and their loved ones. The power of prayer and faith of those who believe, as well as the source of healing water near the monastery, have helped many, according to the testimony of those who came here.
This is evidenced by coins, pieces of paper with the names of loved ones and small icons that are left near this source.
Monasteries are mostly built near springs. The cold and refreshing water from this spring really pleased us because it was a very warm day.
This is the first time I have been in this monastery, whose walls and graves around it for eleven centuries keep stories of faith, courage, self-sacrifice, love and suffering, miracles, heroism, hopes and prayers. I also believe that Leo Tolstoy heard about this place.
So, I hope you liked the story about this place, no matter what religion you are or whether you are an atheist, because regardless of all the differences, we all pray for health, love, happiness, peace and tranquility, which we certainly need more than many material things.
Wish you a nice weekend!
Note: data source