The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters. According to the 1864 circular, teaching was conducted in the Romanian language, a provision applied throughout the diocese. The school's first headmistress was Anastasia Rizo, of noble origin, invited by Archbishop Antonie.
The curriculum, approved by the Ministry of Public Education and the Chișinău Diocese, combined theoretical subjects with practical training. Students studied religion, reading and writing in Romanian, Slavonic, and Russian, arithmetic and exercises in calculation, world history and geography. The program was complemented by church singing and practical skills such as sewing, embroidery, knitting, as well as household management - baking bread and prosphora, preparing meals and preserves, caring for livestock, and cultivating gardens.
The composite, taken in 1911 at the studio of Z. N. Sumovski in Chișinău, depicts 29 graduates and 13 teachers. At the center are portraits of Bishop Serafim (Ciciagov), headmistress N. R. Mihelson, teacher V. E. Bejerian, and priests F. Ghiliarov and P. Jurikas. Among the teaching staff was Paraskovia Vasilievna Cuciurenko, a calligraphy teacher for 37 years, who in 1911 became senior educator and assistant headmistress. For her dedication, she was awarded the gold medal "For Long Service."
On the reverse of the vignette is a label from the store and workshop of frames, paintings, mirrors, and window glass owned by A. D. Kon'gova, Chișinău, Gogol Street no. 37, near the State Bank.
This graduation composite was donated at the end of 2025 to the National Museum of History of Moldova by the Dadiștian family from Drochia.
Some data about the descendants of Manuc Bey (19th century - beginning of 20th century)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Manuc Bey, dragoman of the Porte, State Counselor of the Russian Empire was a well known person in the end of XVIII - early nineteenth century. About his business and political activities have been written monographs, studies and articles. The research time in the archival materials and published works, present several pieces of the lives of children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 1822 October 31 the Civil Court of Basarabia was received the application of curates Manuc Bey property, state councilor Neboda and clucerul Burda to file the deceased ately. They presented the Manuc Bey’s testament drawn up in 1815 July 19 in Kronstadt, personally sign by the test. Testament was written in Armenian language, with translation into Russian, being certified by Gregory, Archbishop of the Armenians in Basarabia. This lately caused several years of dispute among heirs. At the same time, is an important source for the study of mentality and every- day life of the age, and pedigree of Manuc Bey study.
Manuc Bey was born in 1769 in Rusciuc in Mardiros Mirzoian and Mamilei’s family, the daughter of Hamum Oglu. First Manuc Bey in 1786 married the daughter of a wealthy Armenian, Avetz in Rusciuc. The second time he married in 1794 with Mariam (in the acts also called Hanuma), daughter of Haji Harutiun. From this marriage were born six children: two boys and four girls. From wills and other archival documents and studies, we identified their names: Murad (Murat in documents, Ivan, Ioan) and Feriat (Grigori in documents, Feriad), Mariam (Maria in documents), Pemba (Kaniane, Keiani, Gaiane, Gayrana in documents), Gadara (in documents Gadir, Gatere, Ecaterina), and Tebera (Gebera in documents).
Manuc Bey followers married with offspring from families known not only in the Russian Empire, but in Europe. The activity of some of them was mentioned at the state level.
List of illustrations: Photo 1. Grand Dragoman Manuc Bey. Photo 2. Armenian Church, burial place of Manuc Bey and his daughters. Photo 3. Tombstone’s Manuc Bey. Photo 4. Tombstone of Mary, the daughter’s Manuc Bey. Photo 5. Tombstone of Pemba (Gaiane), daughter’s Manuc Bey. Photo 6. Murat’s Palace at Hâncești (1927; 2010). Photo 7. “Hunter Palace”, built by Architects Bernardazzi.
List of annex: 1. The testament of Manuc Bey.
Alina Felea
Divorces in Bessarabia in the first half of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Alina Felea
Cantemir’ s wills. Case Study (XVIII - beginning XIX centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Alina Felea
Some categories of epitaphs in Moldova and neighboring countries in the 17th - early 19th centuries
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Alina Felea
From family history in the Romanian space: Alcoholism and family relations in the 18th century in Moldavia and in the first decades of the 19th century in Bessarabia
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Alina Felea
The institution of witnesses in wills in the Principality of Moldavia (the 17th century - beginning of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIX [XXXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie, Chişinău, 2025
The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters...
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
