Magyar News, 1990. november-1991. augusztus (1. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1990-12-01 / 2. szám
as early as the 11th century, but later these were ousted from the churches and in the 17th and 18th centuries were performed in schools and by religious societies. It seems that this custom became general only in the last century, at least in the form and by the name currently in use. Generally 16 to 18 year old boys played in the Nativity play, girls becoming involved only among the Matyos people, where the Nativity in the scene in the shape of a church was carried by an older woman. A runner from among the players went ahead of the rest and asks permission to come into the home. Once permission is granted the players come in. Two “angeles” bring in the church shaped Nativity, and they are followed by King Herod, Joseph the father and two or three shepherds who lie down in front of the Nativity. Only when everyone has settled down do they start to pretend to be awakened and begin singing songs. Usually after this introduction comes a brief description of the birth of Christ, then Joseph tells how he tried without success to find lodging and then the shepherds render homage in front of the infant Jesus. A comedy follows, which involves the humorous rivalry and squabbling of the shepherds, and after the performers have been treated to food and drink, the players sing their blessing together. Numerous other variations have also been recorded, especially if we take into consideration what has been called the puppet Nativity plays, the most complete form of which were recorded in the northeastern region. The Szatmárcséke version has seven different puppets: two old shepherds, two shepherd boys, two angels, King Herod, the devil, and the one who collects the candle money. The sequence of the play and the songs are similar to those in other Nativity plays, but here a single child moves the puppets on the church-like stage, made especially for this purpose. As a conclusion, the candle money collector, which is a puppet comes on stage and recites a verse. Traditionally, Nativity players prepare at Advent, when they learn the poems and songs, and they go about the village, often for ten days, with some of them even going to other villages. (For more reading use the book Hungarian Ethnology.) A KARÁCSONYFA Nincs kedvesebb ünnep Karácsony napjánál, Nincs gyönyörűbb fa A karácsonyfánál. Nem hiába termett A mennyei kertben, Fürdőit minden reggel Égi harmat cseppben. Angyal nevelgette, Angyal ápolgatta, Karácsony estére Nékünk idehozta. COLONIAL JEWELER JOHN TOTH 3565 Main St., Stratford, CT Tel: 375-8030 EUROPEAN NAIL SALON Judith Racz and Anikó Kiss 16 Fiske St. Fairfield, CT 06430 Tel: 333-1468 EGY NAP MEG EGY ESTE Egy nap meg egy este Minden esztendőben Szeretném, ha király Lehetne belőlem. Ha nem is, ha nem is Valami sokáig, Karácsony szombattól Karácsony napjáig. Karácsony szombatján Hogyha csillag támad. Kinyitnám aranyos Gyöngyös palotámat. Minden elhagyatottat Oda gyűjtögetnék, Sápadozó árvát Szárnyam alá vennék. Ha koldus, ha bűnös; Nagy birodalmamban Szerető szó nélkül Senki sem maradna. Könnyet ahol látnék, El azt sem kerülném, Szép selyem kendőmmel Szépen letörölném. Karácsony estéjén Minden esztendőben Szeretném, ha király Lehetne belőlem. Poems selected by Sarika Balogh MARIA POCS IN BRIDGEPORT The Holy Trinity, B.C. Church and the American Hungarian Heritage Association had a very interesting and successful evening. Fr. Basil Rakaczki, First Superior of the Order of St. Basil Monks gave a talk and showed a video on Maria Poes, the miracle place of Hungary. After the lecture, the ladies of the church gave a reception with refreshments that is still the talk of the audience. In a later issue we will write about the lecture itself. Fairfield generator 9 seruiie EST. 1970 COMPLETE AUTO ELECTRIC AND AUTO AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE 3406 FAIRFIELD AVE, BRIDGEPORT, CT06605, PHONE 368-3957
