Cultural astronomy is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand how different cultures have perceived the sky and how they have integrated it into their beliefs and daily lives. In this context, the symbolism of the rising sun has been deeply significant in Christianity since its beginnings, embodying concepts of light, life, and justice. This symbolism is particularly evident in the orientation of churches, where both priests and worshippers traditionally direct their prayers towards the east – a practice that has evolved over the centuries.
Under this premise, Dr. Maitane Urrutia-Aparicio (visiting researcher from Spain) and Prof. Marc Frincu (UVT) conducted an interdisciplinary comparative analysis of Christian sacred architecture from Eastern and Western Europe, with a special focus on Romania, due to its diversity. The 3-month study began with the churches of Banat, and then expanded to the wooden churches of Maramureș, the painted monasteries of Bucovina and the fortified churches of Transylvania, covering different styles, historical periods, regions and religious communities. Each group, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage, forms a homogeneous and representative sample, providing insights into the Christian religious tradition throughout the country and its history.
Preliminary results from the stave churches have revealed two predominant orientation patterns: towards the sunrise on the equinox and on Easter Sunday. Since Easter is one of the most significant holidays in Christianity, the orientation of the churches towards the sunrise on this particular day enhances the associated symbolism. Another notable finding is that many of these churches have been moved over time for practical reasons. Although the original orientations are unknown, the relocated churches have been consistently aligned according to canonical traditions, suggesting an effort to maintain the symbolic importance of their orientation. Although analysis of the archaeoastronomical data is ongoing, the results so far appear promising.
Beyond their orientation, Orthodox churches also feature numerous astral symbols, especially the sun and moon, as decorative motifs. In some churches, zodiac signs and representations of solar systems appear on the ceilings – unique elements that can symbolize the passage of time and cosmic order.
The results will be submitted for publication in a scientific journal and disseminated at international conferences.
