REMEMBRANCE IN TIME - Index of

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Remembrance in Time
distance from each other. The functioning of Tabăra convent is analyzed in terms of
economic development during the Soviet period, situation of the monastic congregation,
of the liturgical inventory and of the ornaments, which had greatly suffered during that
period, being sold by the Soviet authorities, but also of the monastic-complex
architecture, the cultural edifices being used for the necessities of the local kolkhozes
(village clubs, hospitals for insane, orphanages).
Tabăra nunnery dedicated to the Assumption is placed in the middle of the locality with
the same name (Tabăra village, Orhei district, Republic of Moldavia), on the bank of
Vatici river. It was founded in 1779 by the bailiff Darie Carp from Furceni [2].
The installation of the Soviet regime in Bessarabia (1940) had a negative impact on the
autochthonous church, as churches and monasteries were shut, having been devastated
and deprived of the accumulated goods. Tabăra nunnery, during the first Soviet
occupation (1940–1941) was therefore deprived of all its goods [3]. After the disaster
caused for a year by the Soviet authorities, in 1941–1944, the monastery registered some
progress as regards the monastic community and economic development. In these years,
the abbacy of the monastery was given to Tamara nun (Maria Alenic), who, on March 25,
1938 was appointed abbess of Tabăra nunnery [4]. In 1941–1942, at the nunnery, 64 nuns
and 36 obedient sisters [5] searched for soul comfort. Over a year, their number rose to 75
nuns and 29 obedient sisters [6], fact which conclusively expresses the role of the
monasteries. The cashier of the monastery was the nun Neonila (Natalia Manoli), who
also was administer. Tailor and ecclesiarch was the nun Micdonia (Maria Ciorbă). The
function of tailor was also fulfilled by the nun Manefa (Maria Vulpe).
After 1944, a few nuns of Tabăra monastery together with the abbess retreated with the
army in Romania [7]. In the monastery, 73 mothers superior and 78 obedient sisters [8],
remained; and the abbacy was given to nun Mavra (Limari) [9]. Also during the following
year, in 1945, at Tabăra monastery, 151 dwellers [10] are documented, inclusively
15 minors, whereof 7 persons having entered the nunnery were under 12 years old,
seven monks and priests-confessors. In 1947, once with the launch of the first wave
of reprisals on the Orthodox church, the number of nuns practically diminished by
two thirds, reaching 52 [11].
So as to assess the enormous damage caused by the Soviet rule, we remind that, shortly
before the war, Tabăra nunnery possessed 55 ha of land, vineyard, orchard, vegetable
garden, numerous cattle [12]. In wartime, the economic situation of Tabăra monastery
was stable [13]. The wool-carding, carpet-choosing, household-object workshop
successfully functioned. Once with the Soviets’ coming to power, the monastery had for
its use 30,5 ha arable land, most nuns working the land and vineyard close to their homes
[14]. The policy of the Soviet authorities was based on the labour force and on the
mastery of the nunnery inmates. This way, on January 31, 1945, a contract was signed
between the president of the consumer cooperative from MSSR, A. Kovaliov and the
nunneries Tabora, Răciula, Vărzăreşti, Frumoasa, Hârjauca (as the most numerous and
appreciated carpet and liturgical, priestly vestment-manufacturing workshops). According
to the contract, the nuns received wool instead of monetary remuneration, they processed
it and manufactured varied articles, the carpets being the most solicited [15]. The State
could not allow the possession by the monasteries of significant agricultural terrains,