Wooden Church of the Assumption of Mary - Cotești

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The Cotești village, formerly Odobasca, is located in the Eastern Subcarpathians area between the high hills and the Râmnic plain. A trip in the area offers views and landscapes that will surely delight you.

The small wooden church, built in 1471, awaits you at the southern border of the village, in a green courtyard, guarded by secular linden trees. It is one of the oldest places of worship in Vrancea. Even the Great Geographical Dictionary of Lahovari states: “In Odobasca, there is a church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, founded by Stan Cotea, transformed in 1869 and 1888, which holds 6 rods of grass land and forests from which it gains a modest income of only 150 lei.”

The church is a ship type, with walls made of oak beams and lined with fir planks painted in blue-grey. Inside, it has an open vault, a dome supported by curved oak rafters, a vault that proves the craftsmanship of the woodworkers.

The mansion in the centre of the commune, with a particularly rich history, that belonged to Captain Stan Cotea Odobescu, is another objective that you should not miss!

Brief historical insight

According to historical sources – an old wooden diptych inscription with names of the departed and mentioned in the church inventory in 1904 - and the diptych inscription placed above the entrance into the nave - Captain Stan Cotea founded the wooden church in 1471.

The bell tower is located in the north-western corner of the church, a few meters away. It is impressive in height and even in surface. It is built in the same style as the church, made of oak beams lined with planks and we consider that it was renovated with the church in 1888. It is a miracle that it still exists today, without repairs, sheltering two bells famous due to their donors.

Invaluable treasures

A homily from 1829, without covers
A “Mother of God” icon, painting on wood with silver leaf from the 19th century;

Some old icons were taken over in the communist years for the museums in the county. In the current inventory we can still find objects of inestimable spiritual and artistic value such as:

icons of unknown age, painted in oil, on wood, namely: Jesus with Luke and Cleopa, The Flight from Egypt, Jesus Christ (2 pcs.), the 14 royal feasts;
an icon of the “Holy Emperors” from 1864;
an icon with the “Assumption of Mary” from 1888;
a 200 kg bell donated in 1937 by the King of Romania, Carol II;
a 100 Kg bell, also donated in 1937 by General Costel Tătăranu;
a white metal cross in the altar and the middle of olive wood carved with the Baptism of the Lord and the Crucifixion donated in 1915 by the family of Greek boyars from Odobasca - Mihai Mosgos;
an icon with “Mary and the Baby”, painted in oil and donated by Eufrosina and N. Vlahuţă (one could speculate a connection with Al. Vlahuţă, the writer);
an icon of “Saint Demetrius” in the nave, donated by C. Vasilescu;
a bronze chandelier donated by Panaite Ciubotaru, one of the most serious patrons of the church, whose descendants still continue to contribute and who have crypts in the church cemetery.