Magyar News, 2004. szeptember-2005. augusztus (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-04-01 / 8. szám
Memorial donations may be made to the Francis Vitéz Memorial Fund, that will benefit both the mission and scholarships. Send your donations to Calvin United Church of Christ, 901 Kings Highway, Fairfield, CT 06825 Hard to say good-bye The Right Reverend Doctor Francis Vitéz, Bishop Emeritus of Calvin Synod United Church of Christ, a former Dean of the Eastern Classis, died on Sunday, December 26. The ministerial career was one of deep commitment to the Reformation heritage in the Reformed Church of Hungary, and an equally sincere respect and appreciation for all branches of the Church, their ministers and priests. His ministry to the local churches and members led him to more than fifty years as a Pastor; and he served as the president, chairman or an executive officer of the Eastern Classis and Calvin Synod, the American Hungarian Ministerial Association, and with numerous others. For many years he was Editor of the Reformátusok Lapja/Calvin Synod Herald. He was acknowledged for his scholarship, academic achievements and literary skills, with a Masters degree from Columbia and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; and literary honors with silver and gold medals were awarded him for his books of poetry. He authored numerous studies on Hungarian Reformed church life and education in America, and a classic book of prayers. Bom in Gyürke, Hungary on August 12, 1920, came to the United States in 1949 and was ordained in 1952. graduated with honors from the Reálgimnázium in Kassa in 1941, and his Diploma also with honors. Studied at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Sárospatak, Hungary, also in Paris, later he stydied Hungarian History and Literature. He earned his Master of Theology degree in 1955. He was the native son of the Hungarian soil, the country that was dismembered by tyranny and cut off to be incorporated into an oppressor nation. Rev. Vitéz was denied by the totalitarian regime to return home from study abroad. Having no other choice he exiled and found asylum in America. With all due respect and love for his new country, but in emphasis of his pride in his heritage - civil, cultural, language and faith - which no tyranny could expunge, chose not to become a citizen of the United States, and rejoiced when the government of Hungary issued him a travel document acknowledging him as one of its own. He was an accomplished poet and was awarded the Gold Medal in 1992 for his work "Őszi Verőfényben," a group of selected poems. His publications include: Tanítás és imádságok (Teachings and Prayers) in 1956, Megújuló Egyház (Renewing Church) in 1965; The Hungarian Bible, in 1975; and Religious Education in the Hungarian Reformed Church in the USA, in 1980. In 2001, he published a Hungarian prayer book enti-tied "Messzefoldről." For over fifteen years he was editorin-chief of the oldest Hungarian Reformed Church paper , the Calvin Synod Herald - Reformátusok Lapja. He was initiated into the Johanniter Knightly Order of St. John of the Hospital of Jerusalem. The Eastern Classis of Calvin Synod hereby expresses its gratitude for Bishop Francis Vitéz as we commend his exemplary life to the citizens of his homeland, the church of the ages, and his soul to the merciful arms of Almighty God. He was married to Vilma Phillips (Filep) in 1956, and she worked faithfully at his side for nearly 45 years. According to his wishes, Rev. Vitéz's ashes will be taken to be buried next to his parents in Gyürke, where he was bom. It is not only Rev. Vitéz’s extended family here in the United States and overseas who are mourning. The Hungarian people whom he so deeply touched during his life will remember him in their heart. Part of the village Györke with the Protestant church where Reverend Francis Vitéz was baptized. Page 3 Dr. Francis Vitéz
