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In this cemetery there are a lot of wooden crosses with sculptures of flowers.
In acest cimitir se afla o multime de cruci de lemn cu modele florale (sculpturi).
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Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th May 2008

The wooden crosses are made with many different representations of flowers, in many forms and positions.
Aceste cruci de lemn sunt facute cu o multime de modele florale, in multe forme si diferite pozitii
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th May 2008

Some apparently old crosses are painted with human bodies or faces in a beautiful manner.
Unele dintre ele sunt pictate cu corpuri sau fete umane,par a fi vechi, dar foarte frumoase.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th May 2008

Others are painted with flowers, branches and leaves.
Altele sunt pictate cu modele vegetale, ca flori si altele.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th May 2008

This single cross, called a Troitza, or Troiţă, includes a sculpture of Jesus, a very old one. Never in the Bîlta area has the Project team found any others like this, only in the northern part of Oltenia, in Gorj county, are crosses with the body of Jesus as a wooden sculpture. In the area around Filiaşi, there are only painted images on wood, or engraved as can beseen in the Meteu cemetery crosses.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th April 2008

This is the The Episcopal Seal of Bishop John Michael of the Romanian Catholic Diocese of Canton, Ohio, USA.
Unlike those of western Heraldic tradition, an eastern Bishop's emblem is more a seal than a coat-of-arms, and pertains more particularly to his see than to his family of origin.
Typical features which are found in Bishop John Michael's Episcopal seal include: the mandiyas, or bishop's mantle, the long, wine-colored cape, which is worn during processions. This forms the background for the other emblems.
Centered upon the mandiyas are emblems proper to the Diocese of St. George the Martyr in Canton, and chosen by its first bishop, the Most Reverend Louis Puscas, viz., the troitza, or wayside cross, and the undulations which represent the hills and valleys of Romania, the land of origin of this particular Church. In distinction to the manner in which these emblems appear in his seal, the hills are rendered more iconographic and less stylized, and the cross is based upon an existing troitza photographed by Bishop Botean in Romania. The same design was used at his ordination to the priesthood.
Photo and text: http://www.romaniancatholic.org/diocese.php?seal
Troitza at an Australian Romanian church
Photo: Consuela, 2007
Australian Romanian church interior, showing the beautiful traditional paintings on the walls of the church.
Photo: Consuela, 2007
Troitza at Vodita Monastery
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2006

Troitza.
Many of these examples of Troitza are in the Pologravi area, in the north of Oltenia, in the county of Gorj.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Pologravi area troitza.
These large crosses are often placed at crossroads.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Pologravi area troitza.
Many of these crosses are three metres high by two metres across and are often protected by a wooden roof.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Pologravi area troitza.
The Troitza are usually in honour of particular people or commonly known heroes.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Pologravi area troitza. The crosses often, but not always, feature an image of Jesus.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

A troitza from Orsova, a small town between Herculane and Drobeta Turnu-Severin.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

A troitza from Orsova, a small town between Herculane and Drobeta Turnu-Severin.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Gorj County. Crosses as a remembrance of those who have died. The family of the dead person make, in front of the house, a small bridge over or near water, as a symbol for the passing of the soul over the river Styx.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Gorj County. Crosses as a remembrance of those who have died. This is a tradition in Gorj County.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Gorj County. Crosses as a remembrance of those who have died. Some are dug into the ground, some are simply leant against the fence of the house.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Gorj County. Crosses as a remembrance of those who have died. The crosses bear the name of those who have died.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe

Gorj County. Crosses as a remembrance of those who have died. There are as many crosses as there are people who have died in that family house.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe