The Coats of Arms of Metropolitan Andrei, Baron of Şaguna

The anniversary of one hundred and fifty years since the passing of Saint Metropolitan Andrei Şaguna (28 June 1873) is the right moment to reflect on his portrait in history, his theological legacy, and his positive role in the historical evolution of the Romanians in Transylvania, Banat and Hungary in the second half of the 19th century. The study approaches a topic less discussed in Romanian, German or English historiography and theology, namely: the coats of arms of Andrei Şaguna, by the mercy of God “archbishop and metropolitan of the Orthodox Romanians of Transylvania and Hungary” and by the grace of Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, Baron of the Austrian Empire. Among all Transylvanian Romanian Orthodox hierarchs, Metropolitan Şaguna is the only one who was raised by the Austrian emperor to the noble rank of baron. The title was conferred on him by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1852, being assumed by the hierarch both in his signature and in the official title used in his correspondence with the civil, military and ecclesiastical authorities of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Romanian Principalities, as well as on the title pages of books printed in Sibiu. The royal titles and orders, the baronial coat of arms and the metropolitan emblem illustrate the historical effigies and aristocratic stature of the complex personality of Metropolitan Andrei Şaguna and represent the new legal status and public dignity that the Romanian nation and the Transylvanian Orthodox Church acquired during his pastorate.