The Orthodox Church started the advent on November 14. This will last until December 24, the day before Christmas. The Advent is dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ and in Neamt County this event is celebrated in a traditional way in all the communities.

Just like every year hundreds of believers will come in pilgrimage at monasteries from Neamt County to visit this place of high spiritual values. Here, in Neamt County traditions are still kept alive by the Orthodox believers. Among some of the most visited religious settlements are Varatec, Agapia, Sihla, Sihastria, Secu, Neamt, Bistrita, Pangarati and Horaita. Hermitages like Agapia Veche, Icoana Noua, Daniil Sihastru, Horaicioara or Pocrov are also highly visited during this time of year.

To each and every one of us the celebration of Christmas has different meanings but for all of us signifies the beginning of a new year and of new hope.