Calvin Synod Herald, 1991 (91. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1991-05-01 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 3 -REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA The Picture gallery of our Magyar Calvin Synod — Miniature verbal portraits from past and present — Endrédi and kiskálnai Dr. Joseph Piri was bom on the 16th day of August, 1914, at Pilismarót near Esztergom in Hungary. His father, Joseph, was a professional officer with the rank of Captain in the Hungarian Cavalry and died in action inside Russia on the tenth day of August, 1917. His mother’s maiden name was Lidia Marossy. His family is one of ancient nobility on both sides. On his father’s side it dates back to the year 1072 and on his mother’s side to the year 1215. He was raised by his grandfather who was a landowner possessing lands consisting of 585 holds for cultivation and 41 holds of vineyard. Ode To The Loyalty of First By Dr. S. Szabó A paraphrase of Rev. 3:7-13 V Music by L. Kondorossy There is a Temple on the hill On Erie's shore by God’s own will. Lift up your eyes unto that hill, From whence comes now my mercy’s thrill. So five scores of years before You stood facing my mighty throne. 1 chose you, by grace, First to be On a new land across the sea. Simple hundreds with simple names Swarmed across the ocean’s waves From a thousand year old nation To this distant destination, Bringing none but Faith tremendous, Faith glorious, Faith stupendous, Faith of fathers, Faith of heroes, Faith of sons of slaves of galleys, Who stood firm in mountains, valleys. A know your works, your open door, You kept my word you suffered for. My name you have never denied; Even in times, when hardly tried. When hour of Trial to earth will come, I’ll make you a pillar in Temple wall. Hold fast what you have; hold fast, hold fast! Don’t give up your crown, ’til last, ’til last. They’ll try to seize with force and ease; New men, new tides, with “equal rights”: Old foe, new foe “doth work us woe”; With craft, with might to seize your pride. Hold fast what you have; hold fast, hold fast! Don’t give up your crown, ’til last, ’til last. REV. DR. JOSEPH PIRI He received his elementary education at Pilismarót, his secondary education at the Reformed Gimnázium in Budapest. He received a scholarship to Wittenberg College in Germany to study Church History under Professor Heusse, Church Historian. He completed his theological education at the Royal Stephen Tisza University in Debrecen, specializing in Church History. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Law School of the same University, in European International Law. He was Associate Professor of Church History at the University to Dr. Imre Révész, and later succeeded him on the faculty. Dr. Piri has two doctoral degrees, one in Church History and one in International Law. He lived in Buda through World War II. After the war he lost everything he possessed. The saddest loss of all was that in the aftermath of the war his family life was destroyed. In 1948 the rigid closing of the nation’s borders made it impossible for them to escape together as a family. He has three daughters, one son and eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. They are his pride and joy. He left Hungary in 1948, migrating to Germany where Dr. Sándor Nagy assigned him to administer spiritual care to the Hungarian refugees at the camp in Dachau. In 1951 he migrated to the U.S. and settled in Cleveland where he had to start a new life. He has been an active member of the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Cleveland since 1951 where he served as Chief Elder from 1956—1984. He has been an active lay member of the Calvin Synod for 30 years. For four terms (8 years) he was Lay Leader of the Governing Body of the Bishop’s Council. He was Secretary of the Lakeside Classis of the Calvin Synod for 12 years and served for 15 years as Vice-President of the Cleveland United Hungarian Societies. He had delivered more than 300 lectures on various topics, has written numerous articles in different publications. He has preached 850 sermons and participated frequently in the administration of Holy Communion throughout his career. He is a member of the Order of St. John which was organized in 900 A.D. whose members until 1950 were nobles. His father was a Marchese in the order and his grandfather, a member. The philanthropy of the St. John Order is the support of eight hospitals in Europe. Dr. Piri overcame the pain and tragedy of his early life by serving his God and Church in his new country. Our 1979 Synodical Meeting bestowed upon him very deservingly the title of “General Synod Presbyter Emeritus”. In his dual lay-ministerial status he has worked diligently throughout the total history of Synod. He was delegate to General Synod at numerous times. He was working member of all Constitutional and By-Law committees, and other Synod committees. He has been prime promoter of Our Calvin Synod Herald both intellectually and financially. At the present he gallantly pays for 300 copies to be sent to members of First Church. Through his mediation Synod received 100 copies of New Hungarian Bible. He paid for replacing worn out parts of the PEMCO Heart-Lung Unit used at Debrecen University Hospital in open heart surgeries.
