In the leisure of the OFH there's time for memories. Lately I've been remembering the trip Joanne and I took to Romania. After a few days in Paris we flew to Bucharest, Romania. Staying in nice little boutique hotel downtown gave us an opportunity to explore on foot. It happened to be on Ascension Day in the Orthodox Calendar. Passing by an Orthodox Church celebrating the day, we entered. The service consisted of an acapella choir in the balcony singing non-stop in 12 part harmony. While they did this priests were active in the chancel. The music was so beautiful that we tarried long.
After a stay in Bucharest we rented a car and drove through Transylvania, thus the visit to Dracula's Castle and the church pictured pictured yesterday. Our first stop on that drive was Brasov. The church pictured below, Lutheran, is known as The Black Church becasue the outside walls are black from an ancient fire.
Transylvania was once mostly Lutheran. Since World War II, immigration has reduced the Lutheran population and now the predominant religion is Orthodox. We did happen on a confirmation service in a Lutheran Church at one of our stops.
Driving in Transylvania was easy, Bucharest not so much. Perhaps the only more difficult drive I've experienced was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Takk for alt,
Al
"Brașov is a city in the Transylvania region of Romania, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. It's known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions, the towering Gothic-style Black Church and lively cafes. Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square) in the cobbled old town is surrounded by colorful baroque buildings and is home to the Casa Sfatului, a former town hall turned local history museum." Google
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