This book is dedicated to all people who want to know the legend of Stephen the Great.

Stephen III, nicknamed Stephen the Great (born 1433, Borzeşti - died July 2, 1504 - Suceava), his son, Bogdan II was the lord of Moldavia between the years 1457 and 1504.

It is said that it was earlier, when Prince Stephen the Great and Saint ruled in Moldova, fighting the Turks, a worthy woman named Tudora Vrâncioaia, who had seven sons: Bodea, Spirea, Negrilă, Bârsan, Spulber, Paul and Nistor. All seven were shepherds in the Vrancea mountains, as were most of the local strongmen.

It happened that, in a fight with the Turks, Stefan, not having enough troops, was defeated. Alone, hungry, tired and troubled, he knocked on Vrâncioaia's door to receive a one-night stand. It received him - being unwritten law the hospitality of foreigners - and humanized him properly. Soon after, the ruler fell asleep, without revealing who he was. But Vrâncioaia guessed who he was, by clothes and face. 

With great joy, Ștefan started the fight, together with Vrâncioaia's sons, this time obtaining the victory. None of the seven brothers perished in battle. At the end of the battle, Stefan called them to reward them: he gave each of them one of the mountains of Vrancea, drawing up a royal deed for it.

And so the seven brothers returned to their occupations, each founding a village with his own name. And their mother remained a legend, for her worth and courage, for her generous heart and for her love of country.

On July 2, 1504, in the fourth hour of the day, after 47 years and 3 months of reign, Stephen the Great and Saint would end his life and be buried at the Putna Monastery, built during his reign.

Some of the 44 monasteries and churches built during the reign of Stephen 1. MOLDOVITA 2. VORONEŢ 3. HUMOR 4. SUCEVIŢA 5. PROBOTA 6. TREE 7. DRAGOMIRNA 8. SF. IOAN CEL NOU