Fraternity-Testvériség, 1973 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1973-07-01 / 7-9. szám

FORTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE OF THE ORDINATION AND TESTIMONIAL BANQUET OF THE REVEREND DOCTOR ZOLTÁN BEKY, BISHOP EMERITUS AND PRESIDENT OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA HELD ON JUNE 10th IN TRENTON, N. J.

Hungarian clergymen and lay leaders came in great numbers to celebrate with the Trenton congregation the 45th ordination anniversary of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Beky into the Christian ministry. The thanksgiving anniversary worship service started at 4:00P.M. It was held in the sanctuary of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Trenton, the congregation Bishop Beky faithfully served as pastor with dedicated spiritual leadership and administrative wisdom for 37 years. Bishop Dezső Abraham in his English sermon stated that the Hungarian Reformed Church in America reached its golden age while Dr. Beky, as an ambassador of our Lord serving the furtherance of God’s Kingdom, diligently and wholeheartedly was its bishop. Bishop Louis Nagy, superintendent of our Bethlen Home, in his Hungarian sermon claimed that Bishop Beky is one of the greatest living Hungarian preachers in the United States. He was the hero of the 1961 Third General Assembly of the World Council of Churches held in New Delhi, India, when the entire world noticed his passionate speech, delivered at the November 21st plenary session, demanding respect for human rights, liberty, religious freedom and the independence of all peoples and all nations, regardless of the size of their lands and the number of their populations. He particularly pleaded for justice of Hungary and a fairer treatment of the oppressed Hungarian people. Reverend Imre Bertalan sang the famous and wellliked hymn of Bishop Beky: “Be Regen Verzel Szegeny Magyar.” Dean Gabor Csordás and the Right Reverend Arpad George offered the Hungarian and English prayers, respectively. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, dean of the local Eastern Classis extended the love, respect and honor of the pastors and members of the Classis toward Bishop Beky. He also recalled the historical fact that Bishop Beky started his administrative work first as the dean of the Classis. The Very Rev. Stephen Kovács, pastor of the Trenton congregation, maintained that he considered it a great honor and privilege to serve on the Committee to sponsor the “Beky Day” in Trenton and to work for its success. He thanked the members of the arrangements, decorations, reception, refreshments and ticket committees for their services and responsible work. Rev. István Torok said the offertory prayer. Grace Kovács Baytel, organist, directed

Rev. Stephen Kovács extends his greetings to Bishop Beky.

the choir. The most impressive part of the worship service was when Bishop Beky entered the pulpit and thanked God ,or His grace and blessings, enabling him to preach the word of God for four and ä half decades. He also said, under the stress of great emotional feelings, that in his advanced age as his heartbeat is becoming ever weaker, it is his last testament and will to bring his body into this sanctuary to be buried in accordance with the liturgical funeral rites of the Hungarian Reformed Calvinistic faith.

Following the worship service the people entered the Fellowship Hall for the Anniversary Testimonial Banquet. Under the inspiration of Pastor Beky the entire congregation realized the need for modern facilities for Christian Education and social programs of the church. In 1930 a great Cultural and Educational Center was erected by the congregation; a beautiful edifice, an abiding testimony to the great parish ministry and vision of Dr. Beky. After the depression many congregations built, similar buildings, but none surpassed the planning, equipment and furnishing of the Trento model which gloriously survived the trials of the past 43 years.

Bishop and Mrs. Zoltán Beky entered the Fellowship Hall which was packed to its capacity with persons to pay their honor and respect to them. After singing the American and Hungarian National Anthems, Ft. Antal Hubert, Roman Catholic priest, said grace. The Very Rev. István Kovács, pastor, and Mr. István Estok, chief elder, in the spirit of true Hungarian hospitality welcomed the guests on behalf of the congregation and the sponsoring committee. After enjoying a very delicious meal, Mr. László Pásztor, chairman of the Heritage Group, read the letters of greetings of President Richard M. Nixon and Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and the telegrams sent by the Governor of New Jersey and many Congressmen.

Mr. Julius Borcsik, toastmaster, called on the Rt. Rev. Arpad George who, as the Secretary, presented the gift of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó, Vice President of the Federation, presented the plaque donated by the Board of Directors of the HRFA. As a schoolmate of President Beky, he gave a resume of

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