Blessed Valeriu Traian Frențiu

Valeriu Traian Frențiu (25 April 1875 – 11 July 1952) was the bishop of the Eparchy of Oradea Mare of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church between 1922 and 1952. He was beatified by Pope Francis in 2019. Frențiu is venerated on the 11th of July. Frențiu was born in Reșița to Ioachim and Rozalia Frențiu. His father, Ioachim, served as a parish administrator in Valea Lungă and later as a priest in Reșița. Frențiu completed high school at "Saint Basil the Great" High School in Blaj and studied theology at the University of Budapest. He was ordained on 20 September 1898 after graduating. Soon after his graduation, he received a scholarship at the Augustineum in Vienna, where he remained until 1902, earning the title of Doctor of Theology. Between 1902 and 1904, he served as a notary and diocesan archivist in Lugoj. Between 1904 and 1912, he served as a priest in Orăștie. In 1912, he was named Vicar of Hațeg. On 4 November 1912, Frențiu was named bishop of the Eparchy of Lugoj. His consecration took place on 14 January 1913 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Blaj. Metropolitan Victor Mihaly de Apșa and bishops Demetriu Radu and Vasile Hossu were present. On 25 February 1922, he was transferred to the Eparchy of Oradea Mare. Despite the loss of several properties during his episcopate, he oversaw the construction and renovation of several churches and parish houses between 1925 and 1939. Frențiu went on visits ad limina in 1923 and 1925, during the latter of which he was joined by Iuliu Hossu and Alexandru Nicolescu, as well as a number of laypeople. In 1926, as recognition for his activity, he was given the honorary title of Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Romania. On 15-16 June 1927, on the 150th anniversary of the Eparchy of Oradea Mare, Pope Pius XI accorded him the title of archbishop. Frențiu sponsored the activity of local Christian periodicals "Vestitorul" and "Observatorul", published in Oradea and Beiuș, respectively.