The skete in the place appeared approximately in theyear 1740 and it got the name or “Ascensio Christi”or Harjauca. To the turn to XIX century the youngmonastery survived its hard times. It was forayedand plundered by the Turks and the Tatars. Suchruined premises were taken over by Archimandrite Spyridon: he stepped in for the Father SuperiorTarasios.
Spyridon originated from Montenegro, earlytook his monastic vows and left his motherland forwandering. In the year 1818 he settled in Bessarabiahaving made up his mind to develop the monasteryin Harjauca. He settled peasants onto the monasticlands, laid orchards, engaged in arable farming andcattle breeding. In the year 1836 he constructed awarm church and monastic cell. Onto the place or theold wooden church Spyridon constructed a new stoneone “Ascensio Christi”.
Those visitors who chancedto
witness the cloister those times were enchantedby the gardens and vineyards surrounding themonastery. Inside the gardens there were arranged fountains, pavilions and summer houses, from whichthere stretched clean paths leading to cascaded pools.In the year 1845 the monastery wassubordinated to Chisinau Eparchy. Harjauca becamethe favourite place or then-Archbishop or Chisinauand Hotin Irinarkh—he used to spend much time inthe cloister: he reconstructed almost all the buildings,completed construction or the church in honour or Saint Spyrido. And a bit later the monastery saw theconstruction or stone cells for Father Superior underthe church and the residences with 7 departments.The monastery ran a bakery, 7 buildings for monks,a stable, and auxiliary premises for household needs.It was circled by high stone fence.
The monastery wasrenowned due to its vast library and school.This is the appearance or the monastery bythe close or XIX century preserved till nowadays.Although, all the buildings required overhaul: someof them have already been restored. Yet, some otherpremises need reconstruction.The soviet government persecuted and closedthe cloister: a health resort was established in itspremises instead. While in the year1993 the monkscame here again.
MONASTERY “ASCENSIO ChRISTI”
Harjauca Village or Calarasi region.Tel.: (+373 244) 72-291, 72-302, mob.: (+373) 690-94-196