Romanian monks welcome Ukrainian refugees at medieval monastery

Romanian Orthodox monk, Father Mikhail, departs after the mass at the Church in Putna Monastery, Putna, Romania, March 8, 2022. During the mass, blessings were also given for Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing amid Russia's invasion. Picture taken March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

PUTNA, Romania (Reuters) - When 75-year-old Svetlana and her family from the city of Krivoy Rog in central Ukraine reached the snow-covered Putna Monastery in the rolling hills of northeastern Romania, they had been on the road for four days.

The monks living at the remote 15th century Romanian Orthodox monastery, a pilgrimage site that sits in a valley covered in dense forest, have opened its doors to people like Svetlana who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in their millions since Russia began its invasion on Feb. 24.