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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 (5) 🌐 Show original

Стоян КолевThanks 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 КолеваYes, 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 ПетроваYes, 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 РистескиYes, 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 DumitrescuYes, 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.