The Iron Guard was a Romanian militant revolutionary fascist movement and political party founded in 1927 by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu as the Legion of the Archangel Michael or the Legionary Movement. It was strongly anti-democratic, anti-capitalist, anti-communist, and anti-Semitic. It differed from other European right-wing movements of the period due to its spiritual basis, as the Iron Guard was deeply imbued with Romanian Orthodox Christian mysticism.
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the founder of the Iron Guard
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Iron Guard members in 1937
1940 stamp bearing the symbol of the "Iron Guard" over a white cross that stood for one of its humanitarian ventures
The "Monument of the anti-Communist fighters" in Deva, commemorating a member of the Iron Guard (Ion Gavrilă Ogoranu)
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, born Corneliu Codreanu according to his birth certificate, was a Romanian politician of the far right, the founder and charismatic leader of the Iron Guard or The Legion of the Archangel Michael, an ultranationalist and violently antisemitic organization active throughout most of the interwar period. Generally seen as the main variety of local fascism, and noted for its mystical and Romanian Orthodox-inspired revolutionary message, Iron Guard gained prominence on the Romanian political stage, coming into conflict with the political establishment and the democratic forces, and often resorting to terrorism. The Legionnaires traditionally referred to Codreanu as Căpitanul, and he held absolute authority over the organization until his death.
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu
Ion Antonescu and Codreanu at a skiing event in 1935
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Iron Guard members in 1937
Codreanu's funeral, November 1940