Magyar Egyház, 1955 (34. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1955-08-01 / 8. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ ENGLISH SECTION Reformation or Halloween ' . I Long ago public observances of Reformation Day in America were not so well known as they are today. There were a few denominations, where a hearty response was found to the wide-spread European celebration of Reformation Day. Even today, when many speak of a religious boom in our country, there are churches, millions of Protestants, who do not know anything about the necessity of public commemoration of the great Reformation events. It is a healthy sign, though, that more denominations and even increasing numbers of Christian turn their attention to the 16th century Reformation of the Church. In order to realize the need for Reformation, let us examine briefly the circumstances at that time. After centuries of long struggles for power between the Mediaeval Church and Empire, the former came out victoriously claiming Rome and the pope to be the sovereign of the whole world. Clergymen set themselves to prove, that submission to the Roman Pontiff was necessary for “every human being.” The temporal and spiritual supremacy of the Roman Pontiff was claimed by the popes on the very eve of the Reformation. They tried and exercised power to depose kings, free people from their allegiance and bestow territories on another. Gradually as the political power of papacy increased, the moral prestige and standard was hopelessly lowered. Money making deceptions Papal nepotism became a byword. The machinery for gathering money for the support of papacy led the whole church astray. Tithes, Annates, Procurations, Subsidies and Dispensations were regular sources of income. These and many other corruptions were intended to be corrected by the pre-Reformation leaders, but they all failed. In his message Luther: “To the Nobility of the German Nation respecting the Reformation of the Christian Estate” said about the Roman Curia as a place: “where vows were annuled, where priests can enter married life for money, where bastards can become legitimate and dishonor and shame may arrive at high honors and evil repute and disgrace is knighted and ennobled.” To support the luxurious Roman Court, papacy went from bad to worse. There was no desire to reform the Church. They sold bishoprics and official posts to the highest bidder in order to raise money. Add to these the even worse abuses, the “indulgence letter” sellers or “pardon- sellers.” Right men leading the Reformation Reformation was attempted before Ulrich Zwingly, Martin Luther and John Calvin, but the Roman hierarchy was ever powerful to querch the movements. Reformation needed men who were humble, yet experienced the grace of God, who were able to tell the people in simple words that they needed not to go to shrines or pilgrimages, to find rest, peace and pardon, men who were able to lead the masses from the fear of the priests and who guided them to the grace of God, where everyone found salvation: yes, these men were, Martin Luther, John Calvin and countless other heroes of the Reformation. Western civilization, our political, social and economical system are all blessed fruits of the Reformation. The children’s children, who commemorate the historic day October 31st 1517, are keeping alive our great heritage. We know, that every Hungarian Reformed Church, across the ocean and everywhere will properly celebrate in festive gatherings: Reformation Day. Superstition We have to note here, that there are churches in America not taking into consideration the serious danger of another celebration which happens to fall on the same day: Halloween. Many are drifting away from our precious heritage and sink into the silly parties and superstitious festivities of Halloween. A true child of the Reformation must observe the Day of Reformation. The other is un-Christian, because the whole Halloween is based upon superstitions. This superstition was found by the Romish Church in the northeren countries of Europe, then trying to supplant it All Saints Day, was instituted, the evening before being called “holy evening”, or Halloween. This day is therefore both heathen and Romish. Christian churches should not show any interest in Halloween. Those who attend such parties strenghten willingly or otherwise the superstition which is the greatest enemy of Christianity. Let us therefore commemorate Reformation Day Let us tell the story of the great events of the 16th century movement. There are boys and girls who should be told about the mighty works of God. Let us not have a big Halloween party and little Reformation Day, let us not have Reformation Day and a little Halloween, but let us have Reformation Day. D. A.
