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

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

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…

Source: Basilica News Agency (English) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (17) 🌐 Show original

Стоян Колев

Thanks for the article. It became interesting to me that Father Aurel was a delegate to the Assembly in Alba Iulia in 1918 - this is serious work. It's good that they finally recognized him as a national hero, his memory deserves it.

Красимира Колева

Yes, I counted myself in that part too - being a delegate to Alba Iulia in 1918 is no small feat. I am glad that the law finally honored him as a national hero and not just as a priest. I wonder if they still keep any of his personal belongings or documents from that time in Huedin.

Росица Петрова

Yes, his participation in the meeting at Alba Iulia in 1918 really counts - it was one of those history-changing moments. I wonder if there are any of his belongings or documents left in Huedin, I wondered the same thing. Maybe the local museum or church has something, it's worth asking one of the priests there.

Стефан Ристески

Yes, a delegate to the Assembly in Alba Iulia 1918 is no joke – the man was really at the center of those events. I was interested in the fact that they declared him a national hero, not just a martyr. I wonder if his personal items from that time are kept in Huedin in the church or in a museum, as others are wondering.

Daniel Dumitrescu

Yes, I also noticed that he was delegated to Alba Iulia in 1918 – this is no small thing, especially for a priest from Valea Drăganului. I am glad that the law also recognizes him as a national hero, not just as a martyr. Maybe at some point, when I get through Huedin, I'll stop by the church to see if they have any icons or documents of his.

Ксения Фёдорова

Yes, participation in the Assembly in Alba Iulia in 1918 is indeed not small for a priest from Valea Draganului. I wonder if they still keep some of his personal belongings or documents from that time in Huedin - maybe in the church or in the local museum. Thanks for the article.

Radu Nistor

Yes, I also stopped at the part with the delegate from Alba Iulia in 1918 – a priest from Valea Drăganului gets there, it's not easy. Good that they now recognized him as a national hero, not just as a martyr. Maybe the next time I drive by Huedin, I'll stop by the church to see if they have any icons or documents of his.

Radu Gheorghiu

Yes, I also read about his participation in Alba Iulia, I was even surprised that a priest from Valea Drăganului became a delegate. Last year I passed through Huedin and went into the church, they have a small plaque with his name by the altar. If you arrive, ask Father Luputan, I think he has some old papers from him.

Десислава Николова

It is interesting that you also focused on his delegation in Alba Iulia. I, on the other hand, wondered how he managed to combine this with his parish work in the mountains - it must not have been easy for him. And have you read anything more about his participation there?

Иванка Стоянова

Yes, participation in Alba Iulia is really key, without it there would be no unification. About his belongings - I heard that the church in Huedin keeps an old icon of his from his home, but I'm not sure if it's original. Rositsa, where did you learn about him, from a book?

Alexandru Barbu

Yes, I also saw that plaque by the altar when I went with the boy to a service there last year. Interestingly, he arrived as a delegate in Alba Iulia, right from Valea Drăganului. Radul, do you have any idea what old papers you say Father Luputan has, some letters or documents from 1918?

Yes, I also carefully read that part with the delegation from Alba Iulia. A priest from Valea Drăganului in 1918 really means something, it was not the beaten path. The next time you get to Huedin, tell me how the church is, because I also drive by there often on my way to Sibiu.

Мариана Тодорова

Yes, his participation in Alba Iulia was indeed crucial, without people like him the unification would not have happened. About the icon in Huedin - I think it is the same one that was brought from his home after they killed him, I heard it from a woman who goes there on pilgrimage. Rositsa, from which book did you learn about him?

Богдана Митева

Yes, his participation in Alba Iulia is really important, without such priests the unification would have been difficult. About the icon in Huedin - I think it is the original because I was told that it is kept in the altar. Rositsa, have you read anything specific about his life in Mount Vladyasa?

Атанас Марков

Interesting that you mention exactly that. I read that after being a delegate to Alba Iulia, he immediately returned to the mountains and continued to walk around the villages around Huedin, even in the snow. I don't know if he has detailed memories of the meeting itself, but it must have been quite a test to reconcile the two. Did you find anything more about him?

Емил Ангелов

It's interesting that you mention the snow and the walking tours - apparently the man didn't stay in one place. I read that after Alba Iulia he also organized local meetings in Huedinsko to explain the decision. Where did you learn about these winter tours, from a book?

Десислава Илиева

Interesting that you also read about the meetings in Huedinsko after Alba Julia. I, on the other hand, learned about the winter tours on foot from an old article in the church newspaper that my aunt from Cluj kept - it said how he walked in the snow with a bag of books and icons. What book did you get that from?