On February 9 2021, eleven deputies submitted a draft law on the “repatriation” of the Holy Transylvanian Confessors’ relics.
The Saints died in the Kufstein prison in the Austrian state of Tyrol in the 18th century, when the Austrian authorities imposed the union between the Orthodox believers in Transylvania with the Roman Catholic Church.
Saint Bessarion Sarai and the Holy Martyr Oprea Miclăuș were canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1950. The Holy Hieromartyrs John from Galeș and Moses Măcinic from Sibiel were canonized in 1992.
The only Transylvanian Confessor who did not die in Kufstein’s fortress was Saint Sophronius of Cioara (canonized in 1950). They took refuge in Wallachia after being imprisoned several times in Transylvania.
The authors of the legislative initiative propose that the Government be authorized to identify and bring Romania the relics of St. Bessarion Sarai, St. Oprea Miclăuș, St John from Galeș, and St Moses Măcinic from Sibiel.
Within 90 days from the date of entry into force of the law, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Public Finance, and the Secretary of State for Religions will issue the order to establish the procedures for identification and repatriation of the saints’ relics.
According to the bill, their holy relics will be placed with the support of the Romanian Patriarchate at the “Holy Trinity” Church in Sibiel.
Source: Basilica.ro
