Calvin Synod Herald, 1994 (94. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)
1994-09-01 / 5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 7 -REFOMATÜSOK LAPJA President Sherry's Visit to Hungary Dr. Paul Sherry The Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry, President of the United Church of Christ visited Hungary after receiving an invitation from Bishop Lorant Hegedűs, President of the Reformed Church in Hungary which numbers abouttwo million members. Dr. and Mrs. Sherry were joined by thefff. Rev. Dr. Francis Vitéz, Bishop of the Calvin Synod, and theflf. Rev. Zoltán Szucs, former Bishop of the Calvin Synod, on their stay from June 18th to the 23rd. Dr. Sherry was received at the Budapest Reformed Seminary of June 19th by Bishop Hegedűs and other officials of the Church and the Gáspár Karolyi University of the Reformed Church. Their meeting led to a mutual agreement to strengthen the spiritual, ecclesiastical and theological ties to strengthen the United Church of Church and the Reformed Churches in the Carpathian Basin. There are many descendants of these immigrants who are members in the United Church of Christ congregations and of Calvin Synod. The faith of our fathers and our common interests bind us together. A discussion followed wherein the United Church of Christ might consider sponsoring exchange Seminary students. Dr. Sherry visited the town of Miskolc, headquarters of the Cis-Tibiscan Diocese (Synod-Conference), then in the city of Sárospatak, where the College and Seminary were organized in 1531 and just recently re-opened after the Russian occupation ended. The delegation visited the famous Library of the School and all were greatly impressed by the old books found there. On July 23rd, Dr. Sherry visited the city of Debrecen - the so-called Calvinist Rome - where he was received by Bishop Elemer Kocsis. Following his visit at the University and Seminary, Dr. Sherry at a most solemn and beautiful ceremony was presented with an Honorary Doctor's degree. He expressed his thanks and appreciation and spoke about the importance of the ties between our Churches, afuture of a closer relationship and co-operation and theological exchange. The delegation then took a trip to visit our sister churches in Transylvania, Romania. Unfortunately, Bishop László Tokes was not able to be present, but Dr. Sherry was received by the Auxiliary Bishop Attila Veres Kovács. The delegation then went to visit in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca), the historical stronghold of the Reformed Church among the Hungarians. They were received by Bishop Kalman Csiha at his residence. In a most friendly and hearty conversation, the importance of spiritual and theological ties between our Churches was expressed as well as the importance of a Seminary Exchange Student Program between the Kolozsvár Seminary and the United Church of Christseminaries. Bishop Vitéz asked if Dr. Sherry could be shown the Diploma of Prince Gabor Bethlen in which he granted nobility to the ministers dating back to 1629. Dr. Sherry and the delegation also visited the Kolozsvár Seminary, the new school and dormitory building, as well as the Reformed Cathedral and the famous Matthias statue on the main square which was in danger of being moved. Mayor Funar wanted to make some excavations under the statue and then remove it from the square. When Dr. Sherry learned of the possible removal of the statue, he tried to visit with the Mayor, but the Mayor was too "busy" to receive him. In Romania, there are many questions to ask relative to human rights concerning the Hungarian and German minorities. Both Dr. and Mrs. Sherry were graciously received everywhere they went, but some of the most unforgettable sights were the many places they stopped at in Budapest under sunny daylight or starry nights: the Citadella Fort, Royal Palace, the charm of the Buda Hills, the Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, National Museum, the Basilica the Hero's Square. They will remember the old towns of Miskolc, Sárospatak and Debrecen; one more charming than the other, the Hortobágy Inn near Debrecen and Banffyhunyad in Transylvania. The visit quickly came to an end but we may still hear the melody of old Hungarian hymns as well as the sweet sounds of still well-known song, You are charming and beautiful, Hungary (Szép vagy, gyönyürü vagy, Magyarország). Bishop Francis Vitéz-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------s The Fate of Our Church Depends on Those: Whose Hungarian Reformed roots are deep enough, whose family loyalties are strong enough, and whose religious convictions are clear enough □□□ Kiknek magyar gyökerei mélységesek; családi hűség köteleik erőteljesek és református meggyőződéseik határozottaki k____________________________________
