Calvin Synod Herald, 1988 (88. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1988 / 2-5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-12-REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 950TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY In the ebbing years of the ninth century a new group of hard-riding people entered the Carpathian Basin from the East: the Magyars. Long regarded as pilfering, pillaging people, history has revealed them more victorious in military, political and social organization which enabled them to build empires by strategic methods unknown to the western world of that era. The Magyars (original form of which is “megyeri”, derivative of “mansieri” meaning men) adopted the Turkic model to become well-disciplined. The twilight years of the ninth century found the seven Magyar tribes defending their territories in the Danubian Basin against assaults of the Petchenegs (nomadic people of the Turkic family originating in the Ural region and invading the lower Danube plains ca. 880 AD). This embroilment led the Magyars to unite under the leadership of Arpad. Following ancient customs the seven tribal leaders pierced their veins and mixed their kindred blood in one vessel, pledging loyalty to one another and to Arpad. They had given up forays into western countries primarily to strengthen their military and political position on the Caprathian Basin. Gradually they chose the plowshare over the sword. The cosequent transformation was enhanced by the evolving Christian universalism in Europe, which sought Christian unity and peace. Three generations after Arpad, the Magyars came to a crossroad. Under prince Geza’s wise leadership the Magyars opted for western-type civilization, thereby sealing their direction and character for the future. Geza’s son Vajk, baptized Stephen, grew in Christian stature and favor before God and man. St. Stephen (99-1038) was a strong-willed and strongheaded man, yet he was no reckless reformer. He was in his twentieth year when his father died, and had already accepted the challenges and responsibilities of Christianity. He turned to Pope Sylvester II. for his royal investiture and for his holy crown, knowing full well that the Pope alone had the power to name him "King by the grace of God.” Furthermore, he wisely sought the goodwill of Otto III., the visionary Emperor of the new Rome being born again. Pope, Emperor and King envisioned a Christian brotherhood of mankind under the Fatherhood of God. Four generations after the end of centuries of migrations, the Hungarians under St. Stephen became a European power, with a solid political, economic and social fabric that began to make its independent contribution to to history of the western world. The Magyars changed from a predominantly hunting and pastoral economy to a prevalently sedentary agricultural way of life, from followers of ancient Asiatic norms and religious beliefs to Christians, from fighters to farmers. The Kingdom of Hungary was born at the dawn of a new millennium. King Stephen sensed most wisely that the time was ripe for the creation of a new and independent Christian state. Emperor Otto III and Pope Sylvester II mutually supported the idea of a reborn Rome and a universal Christian empire. Both worked tirelessly for the realization of peaceful cooperation of all Christian peoples and both were anxious to accept the powerful support of King Stephen and his Magyars. With King Stephen’s almost infallible leadership, the organization of Church and State developed along parallel lines. On the ecclesiastical side two archdioceses, eight dioceses, many monasteries and parishes were established. On the secular side the crownlands were divided into counties, and strongholds were enhanced by fortresses. Standing armies, systems of taxation, and rules of justice were initiated and maintained. The goal of the Apostolic King was to lead his people to and under the Fatherhood of God. He outlined his Christian principles in his “ADMONITIONS” to his son Prince Imre: “If you wish the honor of kingship be peace-loving. Rule over all without anger, pride or haired, but with love, tenderness, humanity. Remember always that each one of us has the same standing; nothing exalts a man but his humility; nothing humiliates a man more than haughtiness and hatred...Peace-loving monarches rule, the rest only try— annize. Be patient toward all, influential and destitute alike." St. Stephen is remembered, not only because he was the King of Hungary in the European sense of the word, but because the legal-political order he established in the Carpathian Basin proved his wisdom and genius for more than a thousand years. He was not an originator of great ideas or reforms. Instead he was a man of noble Christian purpose, sound judgement and a strong determination: T
