Calvin Synod Herald, 1978 (78. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-05-01 / 5-6. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD this call and he was offered instead the chair in Hebrew and Old Testament for which he had not prepared himself. He accepted the challenge, and in due time after a super-human effort he received his doctorate in Old Testament from the brilliant and noted Professor of the University of Debrecen, Professor Kálmán Kállai. In Sárospatak he married Iren Balsai also from Sárospatak. He found in her not only a helpmate but more importantly a soul-mate. God did not bless them with children of their own, but he made them “parentes in loco” for hundreds of students among whom I am most fortunate to be one and have benefited from their loving kindness and later even my eldest daughter, Julie, received from them love and care at Hope College, in Holland, Michigan. Józsi bácsi and Irénke néni are two humble servants of our Lord Jesus Christ who wanted only to be found faithful in their life and work. Their’s was and is a life of constant prayer, mostly for others. Many of us here, unknowningly, have been supported and sustained by their unceasing prayers and supplications for us and our work. It was these two humble and devout servants that God called away from their quiet and simple lives to do extra-ordinary things in extra-ordinary times. The small country boy not only studied in the great school of Sárospatak; not only did he become one of its most respected professors but now he was called to be Rector Magnificus of the College. World War II had reached the Carpathian Mountains. The soul of a nation was being tested, the beloved Alma Mater was in mortal danger and the future was dark and forbidding. It was in such a time that Joseph Árvai-Zsiros was called to be President of the College of Sárospatak. He was entrusted with all its physical and spiritual wealth; its tangible and intangible goods and property. The Alma Mater entrusted to the boy from Abaúj its past and its future. And the Alma Mater chose the right man. This man of humility, this man of prayer, of soul and meditation became a man of action. A formidable foe to any who would seek to destroy the work and purpose of his school; a source of great moral strength to church and community and above all to the faculty and the student body. As he had stood fast against the Nazi SS, so he took his stand against the Red NKVD. He was beaten by the Nazi’s for publically entering the ransacked Synagogue in Sárospatak in order to rescue the Holy Scrolls from destruction. And then he was beaten by the NKVD for publically professing his faith in God and defying edicts that enslaved his people. If the story had ended here it would have been a life enough for any man. But God had more for this man to do. The sister college of Hope College in Holland, Michigan called him to teach — Greek. At long last God granted him his wish to teach his first love. But in a new land and a new college. And as in Sárospatak so in Hope College his students loved and respected him for his scholarly knowledge of ancient Greek and also for his Christian love and humility. At first both students and faculty were sceptical that anyone could be so self-less and unassuming as. he. But in due time all came to know that his love and concern and dedication was honest, genuine and sincere. Thus, when he was offered the Chairmanship of the Classical Department of Languages at Hope College, he respectfully declined saying: he already had more than enough titles. It is my feeling that for him no title could ever surpass the title of President of Sárospatak College. Add to this his academic distinctions, his work as pastor in large and small congregations in America and we have before us a portrait of a man who obeyed God. For him, the words of Micah: do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God, was a way of life. It is something that need not be recognized or celebrated. I suspect that that is the chief reason he is not present here tonight. He surely knows God has done great things with his life; he surely knows he has been given much in love and affection by his wife — and yes in the sacrifices both have made for God, Country and Sárospatak. But, for him, this does not require any special commendation. He had only obeyed; he was an unprofitable servant; he only did that which was required of him. Glory? If there be any, it surely belongs to God alone! So, he is not here tonight! We know this, yet, we recognize and honor him. His life, his work, his teaching, his example has left its mark in many of our lives. In my life, and in the life of our people in the Old Country and the New Country. We agree with Joseph Árvai-Zsiros on this: The glory belongs to God alone. But our love, our gratitude, our appreciation of Józsi bácsi and Irénke néni is ours to remember and to cherish all the days of our lives. Right Rev. Bishop Bütösi, it is a great honor and a personal distinction to present the name of Dr. Árvai-Zsiros for recognition by Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ. (Presentation Address by Bishop Arpad L. Beretz given at the Testimonial Dinner honoring Professor Dr. Árvai-Zsiros on April 17, 1978 at the 40th Annual Meeting of Calvin Synod Conference, Ligonier, Pennsylvania.)
