Romanian President Nicușor Dan enacted legislation on Monday designating Archpriest Aurel Munteanu as a martyr and national hero, while also establishing Romanian Martyrs of Huedin Day.
The legislation, adopted by the Chamber of Deputies on 30 June, recognises Fr Aurel Munteanu’s cultural, national, social, and ecclesiastical activities in the Huedin and Vlădeasa Mountains region, as well as his martyrdom following the occupation of Northern Transylvania after the Second Vienna Award.
In a message posted on Facebook, Huedin Dean Fr Dan Lupuțan thanked the President for the initiative, describing it as “a gesture of respect for the memory of those who suffered and an important step towards honouring historical truth.”
The law also designates 10 September as Romanian Martyrs of Huedin Day, in memory of Protopope Aurel Munteanu, Gendarme Gheorghe Nicula, and the other Romanians who sacrificed their lives.
Priest-martyr Aurel Munteanu
Born on 2 May 1882 in Merghindeal, Sibiu County, Fr Aurel Munteanu was ordained to the priesthood in 1907 and began serving in Valea Drăganului.
He took part as a delegate in the Great National Assembly of Alba Iulia in 1918, and in 1923 became the first Dean of Huedin.
On 10 September 1940, he was martyred by the Horthy authorities, remaining faithful to his Orthodox faith and devoted to the Romanian nation until the supreme sacrifice.
Photo: Radio Renașterea
