Fraternity-Testvériség, 1977 (55. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1977-04-01 / 2. szám
Dr. Joseph Piri extends the greetings of the congregation to Dr. Stephen Szabó. ANNIVERSARY OF THE RT. REV. DR. STEPHEN SZABÓ On April 19th Calvin Synod honored Dr. Stephen Szaho celebrating his golden anniversary in the Christian ministry at the banquet held in Ligonier Holiday Inn. Dr. Joseph Piri, chief-elder extended the greetings of the Cleveland congregation. The President of the HRFA gave a message of glimpses into the past. Dr. John Butosi presented the citation of Calvin Synod. Dr. Szaho graduated from the Theological Seminary in Sárospatak, Hungary. Received the B.D. degree from the Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; the M.A. degree from Pittsburgh University; the M. Th. degree from the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Ph.D. degree from the Tisza István University in Debrecen, Hungary. He was professor of religion in Miskolc and Budapest for eight years. Pastor ol the Hungarian Reformed Church in Toledo, Ohio and pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Cleveland, Ohio for 30 years. He put his heart into the planning and building the present Cleveland Church in gothic style. It is recognized as the largest and most beautiful Hungarian Reformed Church in the United States. The church was declared a landmark by Cuyahoga county. The Cleveland congregation on May 22nd celebrated the 30th anniversary pastorate of Dr. Szaho. At the anniversary worship service Dr. John Butosi preached the Hungarian and Rev. Aaron Elek the English sermon. Following the service a banquet was sponsored by the consistory and all the organizations of the congregation. Mr. Elmer Vargo, the Secretary of the HRFA was the master of ceremonies. He asked the President of the HRFA to deliver the anniversary message. Dr. Szaho received citations from the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga county and the state of Ohio. Greetings were extended by Calvin Synod and the local Conference; the Cleveland Hungarian Catholic and Protestant churches and by the local Hungarian societies. Since 1950 Dr. Szabó served as chairman of the Synod’s Church and Ministry committee. He was a member of the Synod Council for 12 years and served as president for eight years. During his presidency the Synod fought for its survival. First in the Evangelical and Reformed Church and later in the United Church of Christ. Calvin Synod in grateful recognition of the victorious historical battles in 1964 made Dr. Szaho President Emeritus. In Toledo, Ohio Dr. Szaho married Margaret Ljlakv, the daughter of Dr. Francis Ujlaky, the honorary president of the HRFA. Out of the marriage two sons were horn: Stephen and Frank. Stephen received his doctorate degree in political science from Georgetown University. He is professor at Mount Vernon College in Washington, D. C. Frank is working for the Cuyahoga County Crime Control Commission. Following the unexpected sudden death of Margaret, Dr. Szabó married Violet Barbej. Their marriage was blessed with a third son: Palika. Dr. Szaho was the editor of the Sárospatak school paper: Közlöny. He also edited the Reformátusok Lapja for seven years. He is the author of two hooks: “In the Footsteps of the Reformers” and the “March of Truth.” Dr. Szaho was active in the HRFA. He was a Board member for 20 years. He served the Federation for four years as director ami 16 years as vice- president. The HRFA was represented beside the two National Officers by Mr. William Aros and Mr. William Szucli, vice-presidents. Rev. Tibor Dömötör director, Mr. Stephen Syposs honorary director, Mr. László Kernes area manager, Mr. Joseph Arnosky, section manager and Mrs. Jolán Ábel branch manager. (CE) 7
