The Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women Martha and Mary Convent is located in a picturesque forest grove near the Hagimus village, Causeni district, Moldova, 75 km from Chisinau and 7 km from Transnistria. It is a quiet place for prayer, reflection and retreat.
Even though the monastery was founded recently, in 1997, it has become a cultural and orthodox centre in the South-East of Moldova, visited by many pilgrims.
It was founded by Bishop Dorimedont Cecan (1961 – 2006), being Archimandrite of Noul-Neamt monastery of Kitkany, inspired by the idea and advice of Theological Seminar’s Inspector Andrei Cotrutsa, at present, Father Andrew, Archimandrit and the spiritual confessor. At first, it was dependent on Kitkany monastery but became independent in 1998.
Divine service has been held dayly in the monastery since 1998.
The complex includes 4 churches and 2 chapels. The icon of all spiritual patrons has been painted recently and can be seen in the summer church. Initially the liturgy was held in a small church (which is now a monastery shop) in the name of Intercession of the Theotokos.
Since 1999, Hegumeness Marta /Cușnir/, the first nun to live in this establishment, is chosen to be Abbess of the Monastery.
In the summer of 2000, the foundation was laid, and then a two-stored church was built. In 2005, the winter Church was sanctified having the feast of St. Apostle Andrew the First Called, and in 2017 the summer Church (the second level) with the feast of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women Martha and Mary. The churches shelter parts of holy relics and objects. In 2007 the Monastery is enriched with another spiritual pearl - a wooden church The Right-believing Voivode Stephen the Great and the Holy, with the services being officiated based on a liturgical program. In 2014 the St. Hierarch Modest Chapel was sanctified. The St. Paraskevi Chapel, the spiritual patron of Moldova, is the place for reading incessant Psalms.
The blessed Virgin Mary’s spring was consecrated in the summer of 2005 in honor of the Life-Giving Spring icon. Every Monday the water is sanctified after the service. Prayers for the sick have been read and those who have faith get healed from physical or spiritual diseases.
There are several workshops in the Monastery where work harmoniously blends with prayer. Besides the Monastery, there is an Arts (music) High School for gymnasium graduates with musical skills, and in summer there are free Spirituality, Work and Leisure camps for students. Excursions for pilgrims can be organized during the year.
The convent is a place to heal, to recover spiritually and to get closer to God. According to Holy Fathers the monastery is called a purification place, school of education, where one can approach and connect to God.
The monastery community is grateful to all who help in any way to build the material and spiritual temple.
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