IOAN ARION – MARTIRUL MARII UNIRI
IOAN ARION – THE MARTYR OF THE GREAT UNION

Summary/Abstract: Ioan Arion (b. June 3, 1894, Agriş - d. November 30, 1918, Teiuş Train Station), the only martyr of the Union from December 1, 1918, was shot in the train while the Romanian tricolour was flying on the way to the Great National Assembly from Alba Iulia. Unfortunately, he did not reach his destination alive, he was the victim of a crossfire from bullets coming from the Hungarians and Germans who were retreating to Hungary. The one who swore in the holy church from the village of Agriş that he would not let down the tricolour except at the cost of his life kept his promise and defended him with his chest. It seems that only the dead comrades were able to take his flag to take it to the promised place. At only 24 years old, he died unable to see the Great Union with his own eyes. Flag-bearer and a war veteran in World War I, legend says that he was decorated by General Henri Mathias Berthelot himself. He was shot on the evening of November 30, 1918, while coming with a delegation of 25 people from his native village of Agriş, to take part in the Great Union Act. He was buried in the cemetery of Alba Iulia on December 2, 1918, at the funeral ceremony attended by various personalities such as Deputy Vasile Goldiş, General Leonte, the Romanian army delegate to the Great National Assembly, who kissed him on the forehead, giving him the kiss of all Romania, the archpriest Vasile Urzică and the priest Florian Rusan, who also officiated the funeral service. On the tombstone of the martyr are inscribed the words: "Ioan Arion, from Agriş-Iara commune, killed by the Hungarian guard in Teiuş station on the way to the Great Assembly held in Alba Iulia on December 1, 1918. The grateful nation".

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