A single night in the city of Roman during July 1941 changed the life of Viorica Ana Ecaterina Agarici, a local Red Cross chairwoman. Upon hearing sounds emanating from a train transporting Jewish survivors of the Iași pogrom, she intervened to provide life-saving aid to passengers who had been denied food and water by their military captors.
Background and Public Role
Born in 1886 in Romania, Agarici was the daughter of a former mayor of Roman. Her father had previously supported the establishment of a local synagogue and a modern school, reflecting a history of community engagement. By the time of the Second World War and the Ion Antonescu regime, Agarici served as the chairwoman for the local chapter of the Red Cross, a role that placed her at the intersection of medical relief and the volatile political climate of occupied Romania.
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On July 2, 1941, Agarici encountered a transport train carrying Jewish survivors intended for Călărași. The conditions were severe, as Gendarmerie guards under Second Lieutenant Aurel Triandaf and non-commissioned officer Anastase Bratu denied the prisoners basic necessities and attacked them. Utilizing her administrative authority, Agarici coordinated with local Jewish volunteers and the Red Cross to provide food, water, and hygiene, while facilitating the removal of deceased victims. Her intervention effectively delayed the train's departure for a full day, potentially aided by the stature of her son, military pilot Horia Agarici, which influenced officials such as Colonel Eraclide.
Aftermath and Legacy
Her actions drew sharp criticism from elements of the Roman community, forcing her to resign her position and relocate to Bucharest. Following the 1944 Romanian coup d'état, her actions were formally recognized. In 1947, Aurel Triandaf faced prosecution, receiving a life sentence for war crimes. In 1983, Yad Vashem awarded Agarici the title of Righteous Among the Nations. Her contribution remains commemorated in Roman, where a bust and memorial plate stand at the train station. She died in 1979 and was interred at Bellu Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1886
- Died: 1979
- Burial place: Bellu Cemetery
- Role: Chairwoman of Roman Red Cross
- Award: Righteous Among the Nations (1983)
- Event: 1941 Jewish death train intervention
Questions readers ask
Why was the train she encountered called a death train?
It carried survivors of the Iași pogrom toward Călărași under brutal conditions, where victims were denied food and water and many died during the journey.
How did the community respond to her actions?
The local community in Roman strongly condemned her, leading to her resignation and subsequent relocation to Bucharest.
Achievements
- Righteous Among the Nations — 1983
- Worked as nurse and social activist
