Fraternity-Testvériség, 1965 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1965-03-01 / 3. szám
4 FRATERNITY CONSECRATION AND INSTALLATION SERVICES THE RT. REV. LOUIS NAGY, Pastor at McKeesport, Penna., was elected as the new bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Bishop Nagy succeeds Bishop Dr. Zoltán Béky, who served as bishop for two terms. The new bishop was born in the United States, but his mother took him home to the “old country” in his early childhood. He was educated in the ancient Reformed College at Sárospatak and was ordained to the ministry by the Cistibiscan District of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Before returning to the U. S. in 1949, he served for over 10 years as pastor of the church at Hubó, Gömör county, in the part of Hungary which, after World War II, was annexed to Czecho-Slovakia. In the U. S. Rev. Nagy was called to his pastorate at McKeesport, Pa. For several years he also served as Dean of the Western Classis and Ecclesiastical Secretary of his denomination. He was consecrated bishop at a special service during the session of the General Assembly of the Diocese of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America held at McKeesport, Pa., on February 15, 1965. The office of bishop has been characteristic of the Reformed Church in Hungary ever since the Reformation in the XVI century. As John T. McNeill in “The History and Character of Calvinism” puts it, “In this instance Calvinism adopted a constitutional episcopate, the episcopal eminence being one of jurisdiction, not of order.” The Hungarian Reformed Church in America adopted this office in 1958, changing to the traditional pattern of church government, which is now followed — beside the Reformed Church in Hungary — by the Hungarian speaking Reformed Churches in Czecho-Slovakia, the Carpatho- Ukraine, Yugoslavia and Transylvania, that is, in territories which once belonged to Hungary. Bishop Nagy will continue as pastor of the McKeesport congregation, located at 115 Seventh Ave., McKeesport, Pa. Bishop Nagy is married and has four children. Also characteristic of this church government is the office of Chief Elder (Curator), who is co-president with the bishop. This office was also filled by a new man. Elected by the congregations was Elder Sándor Kiss, from New York City, a former member of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary and a former member of the National Assembly (Parliament) of post-war Hungary. Chief Elder Kiss was installed together with Bishop Nagy. Our most sincere congratulations and best wishes to both fine servants of God’s Kingdom. J. K.
