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 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…