Calvin Synod Herald, 2000 (101. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-03-01 / 3-4. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD The Thyrker Saga (Continued from, page 5) aged leader... sharp-eyed and an expert in all the crafts”. When they found him the next morning, the entire party hugged him with great joy. Leif asked him how he got separated from the other men. Thyrker began a wild, incomprehensible explanation. He waved his arms and became so agitated he reverted to speaking in his native language. No one understood him. When he eventually settled down, Thyrker said he was not very far from the other scouts. He also told Leif he had made a great discovery. With that, Thyrker showed them a small boat he had filled with fruits and vines. Thyrker proclaimed that what he found were grapes. Some of the others were skeptical. But, Thyrker said he was raised in an area where grapes grew in abundance, and recognized the fruit immediately. This was indeed a happy discovery for the explorers. While the Vikings enjoyed wine, it was rare in Scandinavia. They hoped the vines found in this new land could be transplanted to their homeland. Leif called the land “Vinland.” It’s exact location is (naturally) debated, but most scholars believe it is in Newfoundland. Program of the Fourth Hungarian Reformed World Federation 2000 DUNAMELLÉK: June 30. Fri. AM: Worship Service and Dedication of Calvin Statue Budapest PM: Opening Worship Service Budapest Evening: Gala Reception Budapest July 1. Sat. Hungarian Reformed Schools Leaders Meeting Budapest July 2. Sun. Sister Congregations Meet in the 8 Classes and 300 Congregations of the Synod July 3. Mon. Synod Program July 4. Tues. Hospital Chaplains’ & Co-Workers’ Conference Pécs Choir Directors’ Conference Tahi Hungarian Reformed Diaspora Conference Bácsalmás July 5. Wed. Combined Meeting of the H.R. World Federation & The Consultative Convent of the Hungarian Ref. Church Budapest July 6. Thurs. Closing program of Dunamellék Opusztaszer KIRÁLYHÁGÓMELLÉK: July 7. Fri. Synod Program Nagyvárad ERDÉLY: July 8. Sat. Synod Program Marosvásárhely TISZÁNÚL: July 9. Sun. Synod Program Elders’ Conference Debrecen Womens’ Conference Debrecen Hospital Workers’ Conference Nyíregyháza KÁRPÁTALJA: July 10. Mon. Synod Program AM: Open Air Worship Service Beregszász PM: Open Air Worship Service Munkács TISZÁNINNEN: July 11. Tues. Synod Program Generations Conference Miskolc Dedication of Felsőváros Church Miskolc FELVIDÉK: July 12. Wed. Synod Program Kassa DUNÁNTÚL: July 13. Thurs. Synod Program Pápa DÉLVIDÉK: July 14. Fri. Synod Program Feketics CLUES AMONG THE RUNES It is this part of the tale that provides more clues to Thyrker’s Hungarian origins. In his “Wonders of the World,” Walter Kramer discusses Thyrker’s agitated rumblings. He theorizes that if Thyrker had been German, Leif and the others could have figured out what he was saying. But, since Thyrker’s native language was Hungarian, no one could interpret what he was saying at first. What became of Thyrker after his discovery is unknown. However, centuries later a stone with runic writing was found in Nova Scotia at Yartmouth Bay The bay lies at the most northern end of the grape growing region. At first scholars hoped the stone would provide further evidence of the Viking’s presence in America. But when they examined the stone, language experts determined the writing was not Scandinavian or Viking runes. Many experts dismissed the stone as a fraud. In Hungary, the stone underwent further analysis. This time, it became clear the stone was written in Hungarian runes, called “rovásírás”. Therefore, the message inscribed on it should be read from left to right. The message: “son traveled through this area with many of his people.” Those who decoded the message believe “son” refers to Leif Ericson. But, who wrote this message? Who traveled with Leif Ericson to the part of America where the stone was found, and could have written the message in Hungarian? Could it have Thyrker? That may never be known. Nor may it ever be known with certainty who and what Thyrker was. The only record of his existence appears in the Norse sagas, and the historical accuracy of those sagas may never be independently confirmed. William Penn Life, Nov. 1999
