The Coats of Arms of Metropolitan Andrei, Baron of Şaguna.

The anniversary of one hundred and fifthy years since the passing of Saint Metropolitan Andrci Șaguna (28 hine 1873) is the right moment to reflect on his portrait in histonT. his theological legacy, and his positive role ill the historical evolution of the Romanians in Transylvania. Banat and Htingary iii the second half of the 19th centun'. The study approaches a topic less discussed in Romanian, uernian or English historiography and thcoic)gy, naincly: the coats of arms ot Andrci Saglina, by the mercy of God "archbishop and metropolitan of the Orthodox Romanians of Transylvania and Hungity" and by the grace of Franz Joseph, Emperor Of Austria, liaron of the Austrian Empire. Among all Transylvanian lit, inanian Orthodox hierarchs, Metropolitan Saguna is the only one who was raised by tile Austrian emperor to the noble rank of baron. The title was confut-red on him by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1852, being assunied by the hierarch both in his signature and in the official title used in his ecorrespondence with the civiL military and ecclesiastical authorities of the Habsburg Monarchy alld the Romanian Principalities. as well as on the title pages of books printed iii Sibiti. The royal titles and orders, the baronial coat of arms and the metropolitan emblem illustrate the historical ciligies and aristocratic stature of the complex personalin of Metropolitan Andrei Saguna and represent the new legal status and public dignity that the Romanian nation and the Transylvanian Orthodox Church acquired during his pastorate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]