Romania’s martyrs from communist prisons are annually remembered on a National Day marked on May 14.
In remembrance of the thousands of young people, intellectuals, theologians, and citizens of various social classes who opposed the communist regime and were detained between the nights of May 14 and 15, 1948, this day was established.
A considerable number of those who were arrested never again set foot in their homes, instead finding solace in the Lord due to the humiliations they endured within the communist penal system.
Fathers Arsenie Boca, Ioan Iovan, Dumitru Stăniloae, Arsenie Papacioc, Sofian Boghiu, Gheorghe-Calciu Dumitreasa, and Iustin Parvu, and many others were among the notable figures of Orthodoxy who endured suffering.
Fr. Dumitru Stăniloae and Elder Sofian Boghiu are among the 15 venerables and confessors to be canonized on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate.
The majority of political prisoners were incarcerated in the following cities and towns—Văcăreşti, Pitesti, Gherla, Aiud, Targu Ocna, Sighet, Ramnicu Sărat, Arad, and Jilava.
The legislative proposition to designate the day was received Senate approval on November 1, 2016, following its submission by the Parliament on March 16, 2016. On May 16 of the same year, the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this instance, subsequently approved the legislative procedure.
The decree promulgating the Law establishing the National Day of Honouring Martyrs from Communist Prisons was signed by President Klaus Iohannis on May 14, 2017. On May 31, 2017, Law 127/2017 was published in the Official Gazette.
Photo: Facebook / Aiud Memorial
