To the Moisei commune, in Maramureș county on the occasion of the feast of “Sfânta Mărie Mare” (Assumption of the Virgin Mary) – August 15th
The „Procession walk (mersul în prosesie), product of oral folk culture, transmitted from generation to generation, is a summer ritual, dedicated to the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, currently practiced by the Orthodox communities formed, in the area, from former Greek-Catholics who returned to Orthodoxy in 1948.
It is practiced from the eve until the day of the Assumption of the Mother of God (August 14 and 15), being prepared throughout the entire fast of the Holy Sea. The group is made up of the best Christians and leading representatives of the respective communities, presenting a special hierarchy, in which the group of young maidens has a place of honour, followed by the old and the young. The children wear white clothes, specially dedicated to this time of the year, as well as icons, crosses, flags (church flags). They go up the Moisei hill on foot, being greeted by people who offer tired pilgrims water, fruit or food, as alms for their dead loved ones. When they arrive at the monastery, they circle the church three times, chanting folk Christian songs, worship the iconostasis, the trinity cross in front of the monastery and attend the service. If a new procession appears, they go out to meet them and greet each other according to a special ritual.
Besides the function of prayer, supplication and penance, the processions have an important apologetic, missionary and social function, being one of the most important forms of manifestation and expression of the laity in the Orthodox Church in the area. They bring to those present and to the world a message of peace, joy, prayer, grace.
Informant: Dr. Iuliana Băncescu, CS II, CNCPCT
