Greek-Catholic Bishop Iuliu Hossu was noted as a theologian, but also as a supporter of the Romanians’ movement in Transylvania. He studied Philosophy and Theology in Rome. After completing his studies, he held various positions in the Diocese of Lugoj and in 1917 was appointed Bishop of Gherla, in central Transylvania. After the outbreak of the Great War, Hossu was mobilised as military priest.

His involvement in the national movement was recognised by other Romanian leaders and in 1918 Hossu was elected Vice-President of the Great National Assembly of Alba Iulia. It was him who read, on 1 December 1918, the Resolution of Union of Transylvania with Romania. The next day he was elected to the delegation which was tasked with presenting the Resolution of the Great National Assembly to King Ferdinand.

Bishop Iuliu Hossu continued his political career and became a senator in the Romanian Parliament during the interwar period. His activity in this capacity was mainly aimed at strengthening national unity, protecting territorial integrity, but also towards defending the rights and liberties of the Church. After the establishment of the Communist dictatorship in 1947, the venerable prelate was arrested and isolated until his death in 1970.