The bread made by mrs. Elena for the village church in Bâcu

With reverence and humility, in silence and, most importantly, with a noticeable touch of curiosity, our steps lead us today to the village of Bâcu, in the Ipatele commune—a piece of paradise seemingly plucked from the depths of time’s forgetfulness. When we arrived, the village was alive with children playing in the large yard that houses both the school and the kindergarten. In the heart of Bâcu, at the very center, you’ll find most of the important institutions, all watched over by the centuries-old St. Nicholas Church. Father Marius welcomed us with a silent blessing, a gesture we might not have fully comprehended, but one we certainly felt, and then, with unwavering steps, we made our way to Mrs. Elena’s house—the village bread-maker.

On the threshold of a house that stands proudly like a guardian at the crossroads of winding roads, we find Mrs. Elena, who greets us warmly from the doorway and invites us inside, gently scolding the two pampered cats that always greet visitors. As we step inside, we are met with several centuries-old icons that convey a sense of divine blessing. Mrs. Elena starts making the bread while Father Marius shares some of the sacred secrets of its preparation.

Before anything else, our hostess says the venerable prayer: “Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us, O Lord, cleanse us of our sins, Master, forgive our iniquities, Holy One, heal our weaknesses for the sake of your holy name!” followed by an “Amen”—a sign that the moment to make the bread is about to begin.

In the flour, which rests softly in a bowl, our hostess adds sugar and salt, followed by yeast dissolved in warm water. Then, she carefully mixes the dough and leaves it to rise, covered with a cloth. During this time, another prayer is recited (either Psalm 50 or “Truly Meet”), a ritual preparation for the Holy Sacrifice.

Once the dough has risen, Mrs. Elena shapes the bread into round loaves, sealing them with a special mark symbolizing the Savior, and bakes them until they turn golden brown. Finally, when they are ready, she places them carefully in a tray and covers them with a cloth to soften. From this point on, it’s all grace and skill, as these leavened breads will be shared by all the parishioners who enter the village church. The faith of the people shines through in every aspect of their lives, and without it, nothing can truly transform.