“Mitropolit Iacov Putneanul” Publishing House
Holy Putna Monastery (illustrated monography)

This first edition of this work about the history, the treasures and the mission of the Putna Monastery appeared on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the 15th of August 2010, on the occasion of the consecration of the painting of the Putna Monastery.
The second edition was published in 2016, on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the monastery by Saint Stephen the Great, and on the occasion of the canonization of Holy Hierarch Jacob of Putna, Metropolitan of Moldavia, and that of his disciples, the Venerable Fathers Silas, Paisius, and Nathan.
Publishing year: 2016
Number of pages: 608
Excerpts
from the book
Putna, the first monastery founded by Saint Stephen the Great
Stephen the Great had Putna built in order to serve as a necropolis for himself and his family. The purpose of this founding – as that of any donation – was foremost soteriological and eschatological. But, since Stephen the Great was the ruler of Moldavia, like all God‑ordained sovereigns, he also had to strive for the salvation of his subjects. (…) The church of Putna Monastery – turned into a tabernacle for a tomb which, as soon as the 16th century, would become "a place of worship and pilgrimage” – was purposefully designed as a place of remembrance.
The consecration of Putna Monastery
On the 3rd of September 1469, Metropolitan Theoctistus consecrated Putna Monastery, the first sanctuary founded by Stephen and his necropolis. (…) For the day of its On the 3rd of September 1469, Metropolitan Theoctistus consecrated Putna Monastery, the first sanctuary founded by Stephen and his necropolis. (…) For the day of its consecration, Saint Stephen chose the date of the 3rd of September, when Venerable Theoctistus (†467, the co‑struggler of Saint Euthymius in the desert of Judea) is commemorated, as a sign of gratitude towards his and the whole country’s spiritual father. Thus, Metropolitan Theoctistus saw in Stephen the "thought” and the "will of God” fulfilled and received him as a "Trophy bearer.”, Saint Stephen chose the date of the 3rd of September, when Venerable Theoctistus (†467, the co‑struggler of Saint Euthymius in the desert of Judea) is commemorated, as a sign of gratitude towards his and the whole country’s spiritual father. Thus, Metropolitan Theoctistus saw in Stephen the "thought” and the "will of God” fulfilled and received him as a "Trophy bearer.”
What is Putna?
Just as the Holy Voivode Stephen the Great has a special place in the heavens of the Romanian soul, "his beloved monastery” has a special duty so that, through prayer and ascetic deeds, the will of God may be fulfilled with our nation: ORTHODOXY AND THE ROMANIAN SPIRIT.
And the path on which it takes us is written into the message inscribed on the charter borne by the hands of our Glorious Voivode in his icon, calling us into the eternity of divine love: "Above our ease lies the holy duty to defend the being and independence of our country.”