After the annual Christian congress, the priest has to take three days of reflection and spiritual cleansing. He enters the house. With a gesture, he blesses them. He washes himself a long time, in silence. He puts on his black fasting and praying attire, locks himself in the room in the back, with the window shades pulled down. He lies in bed, with his hands on his chest and eyes closed. He drinks holy water brought by Lică in two-litre bottles, which he leaves by the door. He moans softly, getting a smell of his own foul, hangover breath, and swears he is not going to get drunk at the congress next year.
Dan Banu
On the first day, he rid himself of his riches, the clothes that shrouded him, the walls that sheltered him, the sparkling trinkets. On the second day, with great difficulty, he shed his desire for the pleasures of eating, drinking, and lying with women. On the third day, he shook off all earthly sins and appeared naked before God. Frowning, He gauged the man and asked him, Why have you come; is it to beg for peace? Go back, put on all you have shaken off, and carry your cross to the end.
Sonia Ungureanu
Git up, he's coming. Grandpa bolts upright, helping himself with the side of the table. The door bolts open, and in comes the priest, followed by my Grandma's gestures of humility and the barking of dogs outside. We kiss the ikon, amen, amen, I barely come to my senses when the verger grabs the package that had been prepared for him - a smoked sausage and a brisket. A 50 bill passes directly from my Grandma's hand into the priest's pocket. We get landed with a wall calendar for the coming year, lest we miss any day of strict fasting. Grandpa starts swearing. Let me taste some of that brisket, too, woman!
(Translated by Francisc Csiki / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year I / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.