Archívum - A Heves Megyei Levéltár közleményei 19. (Eger, 2010)

TANULMÁNYOK, KÖZLEMÉNYEK - Lipp Mónika: Szent József tisztelete az újkori Egerben • 115

Mónika Lipp: The cult of Saint Joseph in Eger

When in 1726 the Brothers of Mercy (officially called „Hospitaller Order of St. John of God”) came to Eger the bishop granted them the Saint Joseph church that used to be a mosque during the Turkish occupation. It was a very small building and in 1843 a new larger church was built. In 1961 it was totally emptied and became a depo for the hospital. The painting from the main altar Holy Family with as taken to the building of the seminary.

It is the only Saint Joseph church in Eger, but there are many works of art depicting Saint Joseph. For example there are some church bells, paintings, murals and statues. Saint Joseph is often depicted as the patron saint of dying people. The most beautiful example is a painting by Johann Lucas Kracker from 1770-71 for the Home for Old Priests. The building is now a student hostel for boys and since 1993 has been again named after Saint Joseph, whose life is a wonderful example for the Christian boys living there. Every year on 19th March they celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph.

Saint Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters, workers, families, and of the dying people. Most of the time he is portrayed with the child Jesus in his ann or working as a carpenter. From 1870 he is also the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Church. He is depicted in the Franciscan church together with Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

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