Calvin Synod Herald, 1975 (75. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-09-01 / 9-10. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 THE RT. REV. DR LÁSZLÓ RAVASZ, BISHOP 1882—1975 Dr. László Ravasz, Bishop of Budapest, was bom in Bánffyhunyad, Hungary, Transylvania (now in Rumania!), on September 29, 1882. He studied in his hometown, in Székelyudvarhely and in Kolozsvár, where he received his doctor’s degree in 1906. He was a professor at the Kolozsvár Theological Seminary until 1921. Then in 1921, he was elected to the pastorate of the Budapest Calvin Square Reformed Church and Bishop of the diocese which he held until 1948, when due to communist pressure he had to resign. During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, for a short time, he resumed his offices. Bishop Ravasz was a great scholar, lecturer, preacher and philosopher. He visited here in the United States in 1929 and received an honorary doctorate from the Lancaster Theological Seminary. He visited many of our Hungarian Reformed congregations here in the United States and in Canada. He published many books and articles but one of his most cherished works in his New Testament translation which was published by The Bethlen Press in Ligonier, Pa. in 1971. Bishop Ravasz died in seclusion in Leányfalu, near Budapest, on August 6, 1975 and was buried on August 13 in Farkasrét Cemetery, Budapest. Thousands attended the funeral service for the greatest preacher in the Reformed Church of Hungary. LIGONIER—1975 The fall meetings in the Bethlen Home, Ligonier are well loved and remembered. Usually friends and relatives from different parts of the country meet there. This year the time spent in Ligonier was just as memorable. Dedication of the new wing at the Bethlen Home After long deliberations and planning a new addition was built on to the Home for the Aged. The Dedication took place on Labor Day after an 11:30 A.M. Worship Service. Bishop Dezső Abraham and Bishop John Butosi preached at the Service. The Dedication itself was led by Bishop Zoltán Beky, President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. László Bojtos, the architect, presented the key to the new edifice to Bishop Louis Nagy, Superintendent of the Bethlen Home. The new building then was opened for inspection by those in attendance. Ordination of Bishop Butosi The Ordination of the newly elected bishop of Calvin (Hungarian) Synod, United Church of Christ, the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Butosi, took place on Labor Day in the Chapel of the Bethlen Home, The Sermon was preached by Bishop Dezső Abraham of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Taking part in the Ordination Service were: Bishop Arpad Beretz, Rev. Desmond Parragh, Deputy Bishop, Rev. Francis Vitéz, General Secretary, Rev. Zoltán Király, Treasurer, Dr. Joseph Piri, Lay Member of the Synodical Council, Rev. László Egry, Dean of the Eastern Classis, Dr. George Csia, Dean of the Central Classis, Dr. Stephen Szabó, Dean of the Lakeside Classis and Dr. Arthur Ludwig, representing the Western Classis. Organist at the Worship Service was Mr. Joseph Lucskay of the home church of the Bishop. Honored guests at the Ordination Service were the Bishop’s wife, Lorraine Butosi and their two daughters, Ann Elizabeth and Sarah Joan. Following the Service, a reception in honor of the new Bishop was held in the Bethlen Home. Archives The Archives of the Hungarian Reformed churches may be found in the Bethlen Home. Since the building formerly occupied by The Bethlen Press is now vacated, the building is being renovated for use by the Archives. The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and our Hungarian Reformed Churches are asking for everyones support in collecting books, articles, religious articles and objects which are part of the history of our Hungarian Reformed Churches. Collections may be left with any of the churches and will be forwarded to the Archives. F.V.
