Paleo-Christian churches in the Romanian area in the early Middle Ages

Abstract: Based on the research of many rock-hewn churches of the Romanian region, located in the Dobruja and around the Carpathian mountain range, the author notes the existence there of a number of Christian churches belonging to the early Christian period and the early Middle Ages. According to the author, the religious buildings were created for the most part of very strong material because of the highly volatile external environment, due to the pressure of the migratory and nomadic peoples. On the basis of new archaeological data it can be argued that in the territory of the future Moldova there was a diocese under the guidance of a chorbishop (bishop of rural settlements). The presence and discovery of a very valuable exhibit, which is a rare example of art, iconography and folklore heritage of Romanians in early Middle Ages (red brick with depictions), gives us the first written evidence of the presence of Christianity in this area.

List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. Plan of the Syrian Rite Church in Callatis (after Theodorescu 1963).
Fig. 2. Plan of a stone structure in Sobari (after Niculiță, Popa 2000).
Fig. 3. Stone structure in Sobari (after Popa 2001).
Fig. 4. Brick with depicted lines from Sobari. Photo.
Fig. 5. Brick with depicted lines from Sobari. Drawing.
Fig. 6. Plan of the Limanu Cave, Constanța County (after Păun 2000).
Fig. 7. Cave of St. Andrew the Apostle (after Păun 2000).
Fig. 8. The Ovidenia Cave Church of the Bistrița Monastery (after Păun 2000).
Fig. 9. The church of Bechir's Cave near Soroca.
Fig. 10. Plan of Daniil the Hermit's cave church (after Păun 2000).
Fig. 11. Cetățuia Negru-Vodă Cave Church (after Păun 2000).
Fig. 12. Butuceni cave complex (Old Orhei) (after Ghid 1998).