In the 18th century, in 1786, the church was substantially enlarged: several monastic cells were built (of stone); the chapel and the abbot's houses were raised. At the beginning of the 20th century, a sanatorium was accommodated in one of the outbuildings that surrounded the holy establishment. It was located on Mount Pietrosu in a lovely woodsy area, at an altitude of 650 meters. For a while, the skete was subordinated to the Bistrita Monastery, whereas in 1991, it was transformed into a monastery. In the 16th century, the hermits placed a small icon of the Theodokos into an oak-tree trunk and, as soon as the icon was discovered, a small church (called "The Little Icon") was raised in order to venerate it. Now, all worship activities are performed in this small church, because the old monastery houses the sanatorium. |