Magyar Egyház, 1984 (63. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1984-01-01 / 1. szám
10. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ The Bishop’s Council at its meeting on February 27, 1984, went on record to confirm the understanding of this consitutional process and that the Rev. Louis Illés will administer the Western Classis. An election of a new dean should be introduced forthwith in the Western Classis. It is also understood that the dean to he elected shall serve for the unexpired term of the former dean. Bishop’s Council---------------------------------------THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH UNITING A meeting on the unity of the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ and the Hungarian Reformed Church in America was held on February 28, 1984, in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Representatives and the Bishop’s Councils of both denominations, as well as representatives from the Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed churches, were present. Matters of mutual concern and interest were discussed. A joint communique will be issued and published in the next issue.----------------» »»--------------------THE RESULT OF YOUR ROOTS In reading the Old Testament, Exodus 2:1-25, the reader becomes conscious of the roots Moses possessed. He was born in the home of a Hebrew family, from the tribe of Levi. Circumstances, however, caused him to be brought up in the house of Pharoah, in the land of Egypt. Most of us are descendants of parents, who have come from the small land of Hungary, where more than a thousand years of glorious history motivated people to live a life that was grounded on traditions. It appears that our heritage slowly disappeared, and therefore our loyalty to the past also died out. If we look at the life of Moses, “who was instructed in all the wisdom of Egypt,” without a doubt we would say that the Egyptian environment had a strong influence upon him. Yet, Moses as we see was greatly influenced by his family. He was continuously reminded that he was a Hebrew. He received instructions of the faith, the faith of his ancestors. This training was a powerful influence in his life. Though Moses was influenced by the Egyptian culture, he remained faithful to the people from among whom he came. Our heritage should identify our loyalty. Where is the loyalty to our Hungarian heritage? Or may be asked. What is our Hungarian heritage? It is sad to admit that this heritage, both social and spiritual it seems totally disappeared. I know those good old days have passed, when family members could sit down quietly and speak about particular customes, rituals, which was and should remain a part of our heritage. When parents and children, maybe upon the insistance of parents, were attending worship services, and heard the Word of God preached in the purest, clearest possible way, that God has made it known to us through the Reformation. Do not wonder why church attendance, youth participation in the services decline. It is because of the lack of interest in our heritage, which in some ways identifies our loyalty. How many times our church members ask. What is our Hungarian heritage? What is our spiritual heritage? It would be very difficult to express it with so many words, but there is a deffinite, noticeable and describable heritage. Why the disarray exists todays both in our Hungarian social and church life, is because of the lack and neglect of this heritage. It has been said that heritage builds character! Because of the lack of heritage our characters as Hungarians have also changed. From the time of Reformation, those who have accepted the newly found faith were known as “Vastagnyaku Kálvinista.” Meaning that their character showed in their lives, and when it came to their faith, to the style of their lives, it was squarly founded and unmovable. Where are those trademarks today. It is true we think on terms of our Christian heritage, but our Hungarian heritage is nothing less. This Christian heritage has built into our people, our leaders the idea of justice. And for this justice they were willing to fight, to be sold as galley slaves, and even to give their lives. It is true at times our heritage brings rebuff. We see it in the life of Moses. His killing the Egyptian in protecting his own kind brought estrangement. A stand for God irritates the world. A stand for our heritage may divide us. The secular world will also never be pleased with the Christian position. But our Lord said, “Those who remain faithful unto the end, will be saved. In these United States of America, almost three generation of Hungarians have grown up. Let us all make sure that these young people will receive what is rightfully theirs, that they may learn and follow loyalty, that they may have a Christian and Hungarian character, that inspite of rebuffs, they may proudly say that they are Hungarians. We are grateful for the Christian heritage. All of us here and today are still attending services in churches that our forefathers had built, that their faith may be inplanted in us. Our Christian heritage is that we live a life committed to the Lord. This is in our background, and this is where our loyalty should be. Let us follow in the footsteps of our forefathers, that we, too, may give our roots over to the next generation. SMT
