The Wandering Foodie

It is faint at first. A mournful, droning song, calling out over the square. As I move closer, I realize the voice is coming from the Cathedral of the Eastern Orthodox Church towering high above the street on the banks of the Bega river in Timisoara, Romania.

I climb the steps and push through the dark, gnarled doors, through the vestibule, and into the great hall. I am awed at the cavernous room, its walls covered in delicate, detailed artwork depicting Christ, the Twelve Disciples, and Basil the Great.

I look around at the various relics, shrines, and even a small coffin draped with gold jewels. I am tempted to reach for my iPhone and snap a photo, but then, I stop. The setting seems too sacred to be diminished, infringed upon by the casual click of a camera. The white-robed priests march solemnly around the candle-lit altar offering prayers and consecrations of the holy communion. But, it is not these prelates that catch my attention. I am intrigued by the people. They are from all walks of Romanian life. Mothers on their way to do the morning shopping, college students in route to class, bank managers, they all pause for moment, some standing reverently in the corner, others prostrate before the altar as the mass is given.

I am not of their culture or religious upbringing, but something about this spirit I know – the desire, that deep need to seek comfort, strength, and inspiration before the day begins. It gives me great respect and admiration for the people of this city. I surprise even myself a little, when at last I know I must turn and head out, that I am sad to leave.