The Transylvanian Contribution to the Founding of the Romanian Patriarchate

4 February 2025 marks the anniversary of 100 years since the Romanian Orthodox Church was elevated to the rank of Patriarchate following the decision of the Holy Synod of 4 February 1925 and the Organic law passed by the two chambers of the Romanian Parliament—the Senate on 12 February 1925 and the Chamber of Deputies on 17 February 1925. This study presents the contribution of the Romanians of Transylvania and Banat to the development of the project for a Romanian Patriarchate in 1919–1924, with a particular focus on their involvement in the events occasioned by the de jure and de facto establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate during the year 1925. The focal point of the study is an analysis of the arguments and pleas in favor of the creation of the Patriarchate put forward by seven illustrious Transylvanian professors, historians, and lawyers engaged to various degrees in Romanian interwar politics, namely, the priests Gheor-ghe Ciuhandu, Ioan Lupaș, and Elie Dăianu, laymen Alexandru Lapedatu, Mihail Gropșianu, and Iuliu Maniu, alongside Primate Metropolitan Miron Cristea.