Govora Monastery | Martyria

Studia Humanitatis No. II (XX) / 2025 The former Archangel Hermitage at Râmnic Prof. Dr. Florin Epure

The Archangel Hermitage on Priba Hill, on the outskirts of Râmnicu Vâlcea, is a monastic settlement first documented in 1490, founded by Jupan Stoica Vel Paharnic in 1522 and rebuilt on several occasions, including in 1725 by Archimandrite Petronie and in 1811–1817 by Sofronie Zlătăreanul. The article reconstructs its history through princely charters, inscriptions and Austrian sources, highlighting its role as a centre of culture and local administrative training.

Studia Humanitatis No. II (VI) / 2018 Bishop Teofil, a distinguished hierarch of the Church of Vâlcea (II) Rev. Dr. Laurențiu Rădoi

Metropolitan Teofil of Wallachia (†1648), Bishop of Râmnic and later Metropolitan during the reign of Matei Basarab, was a key champion of Romanian culture and language within the Church, supporting Mihail Moxalie’s translations and publications in Romanian, such as the Pravila de la Govora (1640) and the Evanghelia învățătoare (1644), and is regarded as one of the founders of the Romanian liturgical language.

Studia Humanitatis No. I (V) / 2018 Bishop Theophilus of Râmnic, a distinguished hierarch of the Church of Vâlcea (I) Rev. Dr. Laurențiu Rădoi

Bishop Teofil II of Râmnic (c. late 16th century – 1637) is portrayed as a leading figure in Romanian Orthodox monasticism during the first half of the 17th century: a former abbot of Bistrița Monastery, hierarch of the diocese on the right bank of the Olt, and an active participant in the diplomatic and synodal life of Wallachia, he campaigned for the introduction of the Romanian language into church services and supported the consolidation of ecclesiastical properties, leaving numerous documentary traces in the charters of the time.

Studia Humanitatis No. I (III) / 2017 Matei Basarab, a witness to the Christian faith Prof. Dr. Florin Epure

Matei Basarab, Prince of Wallachia from 1632 to 1654, is presented as the foremost medieval Romanian ruler in terms of church building, cultural patronage, and Orthodox devotion, having founded or restored over forty churches in Wallachia, Transylvania, Moldavia, and Mount Athos. His reign established printing presses at Govora and Câmpulung, introduced Romanian into liturgical use through works such as the Pravila de la Govora, and created the cultural foundation that made the later Brâncovenesc flowering possible.

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