By tradition, the hermit Agapie founded his hermitage here in the 14th century, and the monastery, the village and the commune are named after him.
About the place
Tradition says the hermit Agapie, who came from Neamț Monastery, built a wooden hermitage here in the second half of the 14th century; Agapia is first mentioned in writing in 1437. In the 17th century the monks moved down into the valley, where Agapia Monastery stands today, and the hilltop hermitage stayed a place of quiet and prayer. Today's church, of wood on a stone base, was built between 1990 and 1994 and painted in fresco between 1992 and 1994.
Since 1938 nobody from outside the community may stay inside the precinct between sunset and sunrise, and the guest house stands at the gate. The hermitage's feast is the Transfiguration (6 August), and it honours Saints Rafail and Partenie, who lived as hermits in the Agapia mountains.
Good to know
- Drive up a gravel road or walk a marked forest path that starts in Agapia village. In snow a car may not make it up, so be ready to walk.
- Services are at 5:30 am and 4 pm on weekdays, 7:30 am on Sundays, and there is a vigil at 6 pm on Saturdays.
- Pilgrims may stay one night only, in the guest house at the gate; the precinct closes to outsiders at sunset.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.