Romania’s Chamber of Deputies passed legislation on Tuesday declaring Archpriest Aurel Munteanu a martyr and hero of the Romanian nation. The law also establishes the Day of the Romanian Martyrs of Huedin, to be commemorated annually on 10 September.
The bill was approved by an overwhelming majority, receiving 276 votes in favour, one against and no abstentions. It will now be sent to Romania’s President for promulgation.
Adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, the final decision-making body in Parliament, the legislation recognises Archpriest Aurel Munteanu’s “cultural, national, social and ecclesiastical activity” in the Huedin and Vlădeasa Mountains region, as well as his martyrdom on 10 September 1940, when he was killed by Horthyist authorities installed in Northern Transylvania following the Second Vienna Award.
The law also designates 10 September as the Day of the Romanian Martyrs of Huedin, commemorating Archpriest Aurel Munteanu, Gendarme Gheorghe Nicula and the other Romanians who lost their lives in those events.
It further authorises central and local authorities, as well as cultural institutions in Romania and abroad, to organise commemorative ceremonies and cultural or academic events marking the occasion.
“An Act of Historical Justice”
Speaking to Basilica.ro, Fr Dan Lupuțan, Dean of Huedin, said the law represented a fitting recognition of one of the foremost figures in the history of the Romanians of Transylvania.
“Alongside the great figures of the Romanian national pantheon—Horea, Cloșca and Crișan, Avram Iancu, Michael the Brave and Vasile Lucaciu—who have been recognised by the Romanian Parliament as martyrs and heroes of the Romanian nation, the martyred Archpriest Aurel Munteanu of Huedin now joins their ranks.”
Fr Lupuțan highlighted Archpriest Munteanu’s extensive contribution to the Church and society.
“He carried out outstanding work in every field: ecclesiastical and spiritual, cultural and national, social and economic. He founded churches, schools and cultural journals, served as a county councillor and was elected to the first Parliament of Greater Romania.”
“Granting Archpriest Aurel Munteanu the legal title of Hero and Martyr of the Romanian Nation is an act of historical justice through which the Romanian state pays tribute to a man who served both the Church and the Romanian people with complete devotion,” he added.
A Life Dedicated to the Romanian People
Archpriest Aurel Munteanu was born on 2 May 1882 in Merghindeal, Sibiu County, Romania. After completing his theological studies in Sibiu and being ordained to the priesthood, he was appointed parish priest of Huedin in 1918 and later became the first dean of the newly established Orthodox deanery following the Great Union of 1918.
During his ministry, he played a leading role in developing the Church, education and social life in the region. He was the founder of the Orthodox Cathedral in Huedin and a committed supporter of local schools and the Romanian community.
Following the Second Vienna Award of 30 August 1940, he refused to leave Huedin despite being urged to seek refuge. On 10 September 1940, he was tortured and killed by Horthyist extremists, becoming one of the Romanian martyrs of Northern Transylvania.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
