On November 8, 2021 - the feast of its patron saints, the Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel - the wooden church of Surdesti celebrated 300 years of existence.

”It was built by people eager to leave something behind: deeds that last, things that never end, attitudes that inspire, acts that give hope and joy” , said the local greek-catholic bishop during the ceremonies.

The church was built in 1721, four years after the last Tartar invasion (1717) , by a local carpenter, Ion Macarie, who used oak wook. Until recently, for almost 300 years, it was the tallest wooden church in the world.

It was painted at the end of eighteenth century by another local - Stefan from Sisesti, a painter from the nearby village. Scenes from Saint John's Book of Revelation - the Seventh Angel of the Apocalypse, the Woman clothed with the sun, the Whore of Babylon - and from the Old Testament - Jacob's Ladder, Profets Elijah and Elisha - ornate the nave of the church.

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Visit the Desesti wooden church to feast your eyes