Răciula Monastery · Mănăstirea Răciula

The Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Răciula village (Călărași district) is the historic site of the 1959 anti-Soviet resistance - one of the few direct confrontations between the Moldovan population and the communist regime. On 1 July 1959, after a 10-day-and-night standoff, 500 militiamen and soldiers led by a Russian general specially sent from Moscow violently closed the monastery. The Soviets intended to turn it into a tavern to undermine faith; locals from Răciula and neighbouring villages stood in their way with pitchforks, scythes and prayers. On 2 July the Soviets opened fire: Simion David, a villager, was killed in front of the cross, and 3 were wounded (Mocreac, Daniță, Porcaru). 8 young people were sentenced to prison for ringing the bells. Mother Superior Sephora was arrested. The winter church was turned into a sports hall, the summer one into a club. Restored from 1989. The Moldovan 50 lei banknote depicts Hârbovăț Monastery (from the same Călărași district), not Răciula Monastery. Today - a pilgrimage site with the martyrs' cemetery.