Ecumenical Tourism in Cristian
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Commune Cristian is situated on the road connecting Brasov to the Dracula Castle, in the heart of Transylvania. There are traces here attesting human activity before the Neolithic age. Fragments of ceramics and metal have been discovered here, as well as 12 bronze reaping hooks, which attest the new culture of the late Bronze Age, all found now in the school?s museum. The people from Cristian have always been religious and still preserve customs which account for their connection with the Divinity. The religious culture of the Romanian, Saxon and Hungarian people who have lived together in these places for so many years, may be found in the old churches still open for visit.
Coronation of the Prince of Transylvania
"Maybe the most important event hosted by the Evangelical Church in Cristian was the coronation of the Prince of Transylvania in September 1690, in which famous historical figures of that time took part, including the Voivode of Tara Romaneasca region, Constantin Brancoveanu together with Dieta Ardeleana (the representative political assembly from Ardeal). The orthodox resistance from Tara Barsei region was very powerful and the people from Cristian persisted and erected a religious building for their religious aspirations. In 1735 they built the Orthodox Church which can now be visited for its interior frescos and collection of icons. We want to develop the ecumenical tourism for all ethnic groups, both for the locals and tourists," said Mr. Serafim Dragos, Mayor of Cristian.
Pompous Opening Ceremony
Because of the belief of the people from Cristian, another church has been built here, which was sanctified by the Metropolitan of Ardeal himself, Laurentiu Streza, who performed the mass. The event gathered many people who prayed and kissed the icon as a sacred object of great religious value.
We also want to add that the people of Cristian, being good Christians, chose to religiously celebrate the day of their town in September at the beginning of the church year. On this occasion they thank God for a thriving soil.
Open doors
Cristian generously opens its doors to those who want to see how thriving the soil has become in the hill sides of Transylvania. I suggest that you take a pause and try to know it! Just like the sceptical Gothe I would ask: "You, humans, do you think that you can see if your eyes are openĂ" I recommend that you do a watching exercise on your own and leave yourself carried away by memories sacredly kept by the living: hardworking people who knew how to build, who knead the past with the present. Cristian is a wonder in this large outdoor museum which is Transylvania.
