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Romanian Parliament recognises martyred Orthodox archpriest Aurel Munteanu as national hero

July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

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…

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

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💬 Comments (3) 🌐 Show original

Екатерина Волкова

Thank God that in Romania they remember the feat of Father Aurelius in the Guedin Mountains on September 10, 1940 - just as we remember our saints in Rus'.

Любовь Морозова

I remember that in our parish on September 10 we always remember those killed in the Donbass, but I didn’t know that in Romania this day is associated with ArchReverend Aurel Munteanu. It’s interesting how to compare his memory with our church calendar - after all, on September 10 we commemorate St. Nikon of Novgorod.

Георгий Иванов

I remember that in our parish in Kuban they honor the martyrs of 1916-1918, when Orthodox Christians in the Kuban steppes died for their faith. The word “martyrs of Huedin” in the article made me remember that in our region, as in Romania, faith strengthened the church at the cost of blood.