Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2004-09-01 / 9-10. szám

8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD “A Great Prince” Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day? (2 Sam. 3:38) The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head. (Lam. 5:15,16) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Bishop Dr. Stephen Szabó, the distinguished personality of our Hungarian Reformed life in America, was pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland, OH for 36 years. He was bom in Ullo, Hungary on September 6, 1902. He was called by his Maker on June 22, 2004 from Cleveland, OH. Dr. Szabó and Cleveland were inseparable from each other. Cleveland was the pretty frame in which he lived and served, and Cleveland was the grain of sand in his heart, soul and mind which became a precious pearl in the crown our Hungarian Reformed life. Dr. Szabo’s life and service was famous even before he came to America. His super active life remained on the top during his service in Cleveland, just like the crown on the coat-of-arms of Hungary remained on the top of the central hill at the foot of the cross. We give thanks to the Lord that He gave him to us to be our pastor, the pastor of our Hungarian diaspora, and also pastor in our former homeland. We honor him as preacher, lecturer, polemic, writer, church diplomat, leader, builder, host, friend, and first of all, a servant of God. Preacher - He was prepared and remained in this service in addition to his many different involvements. He studied and graduated from the Sárospatak Seminary. He studied and graduated with a B.D. degree from the Dayton, OH seminary, studied and earned a Th. M. degree from Western Seminary, he received a M.A. degree from Pittsburgh University, and a Ph.D. degree from Debrecen University. It is unfortunate that due to his busy schedule, his sermons were not printed to remain a document of his skill of preaching. He was a famous preacher in Hungarian and English both in Hungary and in the United States. Lecturer- Dr. Szabo’s theological, linguistic, and philosophic skills and his historical research made him a powerful lecturer. He lectured over a thousand times in Hungary, England, Scotland, and in the United States. He lectured in our Classis and Synod meetings as well as at our elders’ and ministers’ meetings. He approached the subject not just with the skill of a master, but also with the touch of a poet, his lecture became an art of lecturing both in English and Hungarian. His lectures were unforgettable. Polemic - Dr. Szabó, just as the whole Hungarian nation, was indebted in the research of truth. In 1934, he researched for the historical truth in his essay, The History of St. Stephen s Right Hand. As a master researcher he presented his case. The local and the foreign press spread the news in Hungary and abroad and he was invited to lecture in Europe and America. Writer - Dr. Szabo’s scholarly preparation and his historical research made him an effective writer. He published three books, “March of Truth ” about the life and service of the reformers, for which he traveled and made local research. The March of Truth printed four English editions, and was also translated into the Dutch language. He wrote his second book about the “Philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, ” and his third book is “In the Footsteps of Reformers. ” Dr. Szabo’s literary talent was used by him as editor of the Calvin Synod’s paper, the Calvin Synod Herald. When the United Church of Christ discontinued to publish their German paper, the publishing of our Synod paper was discontinued also. The Synod Council asked Dr. Szabó to continue editing the Synod paper. It is through his skill and effort that the paper was printed without delay for sixteen years. His articles appeared in English and Hungarian papers as well. Church Diplomat - The Reformed Church in Hungary sent Dr. Szabó to America in June 1941 to bring the different Hungarian Reformed church factions into one group. Unfortunately, this project was not realized in spite of great effort because of the outbreak of the war. He took part in the General Synod meetings of the United Church of Christ. He fought for the survival of the Calvin Synod. Thanks to his great skill and effort the Synod remained intact. The Calvin Synod needs many of the same kind of leader for her survival. Church Leader - Dr. Szabó was the minister of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland, OH, the first and oldest Hungarian Reformed Church in America, for 36 years. He was elected president of the Calvin Synod (bishop) for four terms. The Synod bestowed the honorary title of Bishop Emeritus upon him. Church Builder - Nothing speaks better about Dr. Szabó than the great church of the congregation. They built two churches on East 79th Street, later purchased a lot on the Buckeye Road and East Blvd. comer, where a chapel, auditorium, and educational buildings were built. The members had a dream about a new sanctuary and it was realized when Dr. Szabó was elected pastor of the church. The people prayed for the new church, they made their donations to it, and Dr. Szabó led the planning. The walls were growing day by day, the new windows were installed, but the architect was still working on the design of the tower and steeple. Finally the thirteenth plan was accepted and the tower was built according to the satisfaction of Dr. Szabó, to the wish of the people, and the glory of God. The dedication was attended by Gov. Frank Laushe, Governor of the State of Ohio, and by about four thousand people. Since then, the church has become a Historical Landmark. Pastor - Dr. Szabó was a pastor not according to his own plan but according to God’s call. He probably dreamt about a church in a large village or in a famous city. The Lord called him from his motherland to America to lead his dispersed children. As a seminary student, he served a congregation in Middletown, OH; Daisytown, PA; then Toledo, OH, and finally the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland, OH. The large Hungarian settlements were disappearing and the church members dispersed all over the land. Dr. Szabó looked for and gathered the scattered Hungarian church members as the wheat gatherers in the painting of the French painter, Millet. Fifty years ago I was the assistant minister to Dr. Szabó and helped him with this task. Host - Dr. Szabó was a magnificent host. In Hungary he would have been a member of the Upper House of the Congress. Beside his work, he always had time for his friends and ministers. The

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