Fact Check: The Romanian iron guard preformed initiation rituals where they drank each others blood

The Claim: "The Romanian Iron Guard performed initiation rituals where they drank each other's blood"

1. Introduction

The claim that the Romanian Iron Guard engaged in initiation rituals involving the drinking of each other's blood is a provocative assertion that raises questions about the nature of this historical group. The Iron Guard, officially known as the Legion of the Archangel Michael, was a far-right political movement in Romania during the interwar period, characterized by its extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and fascist ideology. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding the claim, critically assessing the sources and their reliability.

2. What We Know

The Iron Guard was founded in 1927 by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and was known for its militant and religious fervor, often intertwining Orthodox Christian principles with its political ideology 12. The movement was marked by violent actions against political opponents and minority groups, particularly Jews 56.

While the Iron Guard's rituals and practices have been documented, specific claims about blood-drinking rituals are less commonly referenced in academic literature. The group did engage in various initiation ceremonies that emphasized loyalty and sacrifice, but detailed accounts of these rituals vary widely. Some sources suggest that the Iron Guard's practices included symbolic acts of bloodshed, but direct evidence of blood-drinking rituals remains elusive.

3. Analysis

Source Evaluation

1. Wikipedia: The entry on the Iron Guard provides a broad overview of the group's ideology and history but lacks specific citations for the claim regarding blood-drinking rituals. Wikipedia articles can be edited by anyone, which raises questions about the reliability of specific claims unless they are well-cited 1.

2. George Fox University Article: This source discusses the Iron Guard's unique blend of fascism and Orthodox Christianity but does not mention blood-drinking rituals. It is a peer-reviewed academic article, lending it credibility 2.

3. Academia.edu: This document also addresses the Iron Guard's characteristics and ideology but does not provide evidence for the blood-drinking claim. The reliability of this source depends on the credentials of the authors, which are not specified 3.

4. Slate Article: This piece provides a narrative on the Iron Guard's violent and morbid practices but does not specifically mention blood-drinking rituals. It is a journalistic source that may contain biases, as it aims to engage readers with a sensationalist angle 5.

5. Factual America: This source summarizes the Iron Guard's emergence and ideology but lacks specific details about initiation rituals. It appears to be a secondary source that compiles information from various historical accounts 6.

Conflicts of Interest

Some sources may have inherent biases, particularly those that aim to portray the Iron Guard in a sensational light. For example, articles that focus on the group's violent history may exaggerate certain aspects to emphasize their narrative. Additionally, the lack of primary sources or firsthand accounts regarding blood-drinking rituals makes it difficult to substantiate the claim.

Methodological Concerns

The claim about blood-drinking rituals would benefit from more robust historical evidence, such as primary source documents or testimonies from former members. The absence of such evidence in the available literature raises questions about the veracity of the claim.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that the Romanian Iron Guard performed initiation rituals involving the drinking of each other's blood remains unverified due to a lack of credible evidence. While the Iron Guard is known for its extreme practices and rituals, specific references to blood-drinking are not well-documented in reliable academic sources. Most available literature either does not address this claim directly or fails to provide substantiating evidence.

The uncertainty surrounding this claim highlights the need for caution when interpreting historical narratives, especially those that may be sensationalized. The absence of primary sources or firsthand accounts further complicates the ability to confirm or deny the existence of such rituals.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the context and reliability of sources when assessing historical claims. The complexities of historical documentation often mean that definitive conclusions may not be possible, and skepticism is warranted in the face of extraordinary assertions.

5. Sources

1. Iron Guard - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Guard
2. The Romanian Iron Guard: Fascist Sacralized Politics or ... https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1995&context=ree
3. The Romanian Iron Guard: Fascist Sacralized Politics or Fascist ... https://www.academia.edu/65363889/The_Romanian_Iron_Guard_Fascist_Sacralized_Politics_or_Fascist_Politicized_Religion
4. Corneliu Zelea Codreanu - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corneliu_Zelea_Codreanu
5. Romania's unusually morbid fascist movement blended nationalistic ... https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/02/romanias-unusually-morbid-fascist-movement-blended-nationalistic-violence-with-fanatical-christian-martyrdom.html
6. Romania's Iron Guard Exposed: 8 Shocking Docs on Interwar Fascism https://www.factualamerica.com/shadow-screens/8-documentaries-on-the-iron-guard-and-its-fascist-ideology-in-romania
7. History of the Iron Guard: from interwar exclusion to post-1947 ... https://ebrary.net/254738/political_science/history_iron_guar_interwar_exclusion_post_1947_suppression
8. The Romanian "Iron Guards" - CATHOLICAM VEL MORS https://catholicamvelmors.substack.com/p/the-romanian-iron-guards
9. PDF The Tragedy of the Romanian 'Iron Guard': Codreanu - Internet Archive https://ia802207.us.archive.org/12/items/TheTragedyOfTheRomanianIronGuard/TheTragedyOfTheRomanianIronGuard.pdf
10. Iron Guard - Religion Wiki | Fandom https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_Guard