Abstract
(George) Gregory Volcinschi became the head of the Putna Monastery between 1919 and 1931, a period of expectations and hopes for the Romanians after the Great Union. Being an offspring of an old family of boyars from the 16th century Moldavia, from around the Volcineți village on Siret, George Volcinschi pursued an intellectual career, earning Doctor of Philosophy and Theology degrees from the Universities of Amsterdam and London. For 40 years he was a married priest and after the death of his wife he was tonsured a monk. He was an extremely hospitable and patriotic hegumen, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors of all ages, Romanian and foreign, to whom he would deliver lectures on Romanian history and spirituality. His care for the pilgrims and the treasures of Putna brought him many written acknowledgements in the guest book as well as distinctions from King Ferdinand and the Church hierarchy: Commander of the "Romanian Crown” Order, the "Reward for the Work for the Church” medal and his the rank of an archimandrite bearing a miter in 1923.
Keywords
Gregory Volcinschi, guest book, hegumen, museum, Putna Monastery
