Romanian martyrs

Romania marks Huedin Romanian Martyrs Day for first time

Huedin Romanian Martyrs Day is being observed for the first time on 10 September, following its establishment under Law No. 156/2026. The commemoration brings renewed attention to the suffering of Romanians in northern Transylvania under the Horthy regime. Following the Second Vienna Award of 30 August 1940, Romania was compelled to cede northern Transylvania to…

YesterdayAurelian Iftimiu

President signs law honouring Archpriest Aurel Munteanu as martyr and national hero

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…

Jul 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Parliament recognises martyred Orthodox archpriest Aurel Munteanu as national hero

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…

Jul 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Liturgy honouring newly canonised Bessarabian Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga held in Călărași

The Holy Hieromartyr Alexander (Baltaga) of Bessarabia was commemorated on Friday for the first time since the local proclamation of his canonisation, in the “Saint Nicholas” Church in Călărași, the Republic of Moldova — the parish where the saint served for 54 years. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia,…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania: Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons consecrated in Târgu Ocna

The Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons built within the National School for Prison Officers in Târgu Ocna, Romania, was consecrated on Saturday, May 14, 2022. The ceremony was part of a series of events marking 25 years since the establishment of this institution, which chose Martyr Prince Constantine Brâncoveanu as its spiritual patron.…

May 25, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons to be consecrated in Târgu Ocna

The National School for Prison Officers in Târgu Ocna, Romania, hosts two days of celebrations dedicated to the consecration of the Church of Martyrs and Confessors of Communist Prisons. Five hierarchs will officiate on Saturday the consecration of the church built near the prison where Valeriu Gafencu, surnamed “the saint of the prisons”, reposed. The…

May 13, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Priest-martyr Aurel Munteanu remembered in Huedin on his 140th birth anniversary

On Tuesday, Huedin Orthodox Deanery organised a memorial symposium honouring the priest-martyr Aurel Munteanu, on his 140th birth anniversary. The event was preceded by a memorial service for the Romanian priest killed by Horthy’s troops on September 10, 1940. The symposium entitled “140 years since the birth of the priest-martyr Aurel Munteanu” took place at…

May 5, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Synod of Cluj Metropolis approves arguments for Fr Liviu Galaction Munteanu’s canonization

The hierarchs of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj met last week at the metropolitan residence in Cluj-Napoca. The agenda included the canonization file of Professor Rev. Liviu Galaction Munteanu, a martyr of the communist prisons. The hierarchs approved the local arguments for his canonization in 2025. His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei chaired the meeting…

Oct 4, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bp Benedict commemorates martyred archpriest Aurel Munteanu: We have the chance to learn from him

“We have this chance to look at a model and learn from him and to live our faith and affiliation most naturally and healthily. We owe him this following through the fruits of his labour, through the fruits of his preaching, and we owe it to him to make them visible in our lives. Now,…

Sep 21, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Priest killed for serving in Romanian to be honoured with bust in Albania

A bust of Father Haralambie Balamace will be unveiled next month in Korçë, Albania, where the priest was martyred. The father was killed on Easter night in 1914 because he officiated the service in Romanian. A similar end had about 1,000 Romanians from the Balkans, teachers, professors, priests, and ordinary students because they defended the…

Apr 21, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

“The joy of being alone, a stranger, forgotten, humiliated, hit, but never defeated.” Commemoration of martyrs at Târgu Ocna

“If you read the poems and texts of those who suffered in communist prisons, you will see that every word they uttered reflects another way to rejoice. The joy of being alone, a stranger, forgotten, kneeling, hit, but never defeated,” said Archimandrite Pimen Costea, administrative vicar of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău Thursday, February…

Feb 22, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu