Calvin Synod Herald, 1992 (92. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1992-01-01 / 1. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA MY TRIP TO HUNGARY A tour group of 18 people left Metro Airport in the Detroit area for the trip. Of the group, 1 believe that 10 or 12 had never been there. The matriarch of the group was a lovely lady of 80 and she was with her granddaughter of 23. The rest were from age 40 on up. No one in my family had ever been to Hungary since 1914, that’s 77 years. The last contact was in 1969 when 4 Christmas Cards to family members had been sent and returned unopened, marked “No Addressee Known”. Others had similar stories. Most of the people were from Michigan but we also had people from Indiana and Ohio. My trip to Hungary from June 13 to June 27, 1991 had a two-fold purpose. First and foremost was the “II World Conference of Hungarian Reformed Churches” and secondly was to visit the birthplace of my parents. The trip was very successful on both counts. When I first entered Hungary on Sunday, June 16th at the city of Sopron, it was a memorable ocasion and a once in a lifetime visit for me. I had read about Hungary, listened to my parents who emigrated from there in 1907 and 1914, listened to my friends who had previously been there, seen some TV Program Documentations and had an idea or vision of what I would see. I thought I would see a nation that had been suppressed by the aggressors, one that would be behind the times, and in many ways it would be rural, old and rustic looking. Instead I found beautiful countrysides, grand buildings with a lot of history dating back a 1,000 years. New construction was everywhere; in the villages, towns, and cities. I perceived the people were building homes for themselves. They were doing their own work. I was also impressed by the beauty and warmth of the people. I felt that I was in a way at home at the birthplace of my father and mother, Izsó Falva and Abaujszolnok. It was here that they had been born and raised and grew into young adulthood. It was a glorious and exhilerating feeling. It was a great honor and privilege for me to attend the “II World Conference of Hungarian Churches”. I believe that the World Conference was needed so that all the Hungarian Reformed Churches could join together and get to know one another. It will create a stronger bond in the future and many things can then be accomplished when we work as one in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We begin to realize that all churches and all people are very much alike whenever they are in the world. We are one family and must love one another as brothers and sisters. All this is possible only through the Grace of God. I began the conference at 10:00 a.m. Friday June 1st, when I attended a Committee meeting to discuss the forming of a “Hungarian Reformed World Federation”. There were 38 members present with 11 from the U.S.A. It was agreed that an “Alliance” should be formed. A prepared Constitution and By-Laws was thoroughly discussed and deliberated upon. Changes were made where necessary and was finally agreed upon. Officers were elected and it was discussed that the next meeting would occur probably 5 years hence. Bishop J. Butosi was elected President and Paul Szanislo is our Representative. Following the meeting a church service and choir cantata was held at the Kálvin Square Reformed Church. It was there that a plaque was presented to the church in memory of Bishop Ravasz László. Ravasz László is one of the most famous and talented leaders of the National Reformed Church in Hungary. As a bishop was the minister of Kálvin Square Church. After the Communist takeover in 1948 he was forced to give up his position. During the last four decades in Hungary it was prohibited even to mention his name publicly. At the service Bishop Zoltán Szucs preached and Bishop Lorant Hegedűs gave a lecture on Bishop Ravasz’s works. Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America remembered Bishop Ravasz at the plaque. The highlight of the day was the opening ceremonies that took place at the Budapest small stadium at 7:00 p.m. The opening was given by Dr. Bishop Kocsis Elemér and the service by Dr. Havadtoi Sándor. There were approximately 10,000 in attendance and 600 Voice choir. Everything was awe-inspiring. The next morning the conferences journeyed to Debrecen where for the next 3 days the main part of the conference would continue. On Saturday evening the church services were held at the large Erdei Stadium. It was conducted by Bishop Tőkés László. It was an amazing sight to see the thousands of people that were being given Holy Communion. This was conducted by Dr. Hegedűs Lorant. The Holy Communion was given to 40,000 people by 200 ministers. The different church services and choir cantata’s and concerts were well attended with overflowing crowds. They were exhilerating and inspirational. The services carried many messages that were being preached to the people and were taken from the Holy Bible. It was a special day for me when I was able to visit with my relatives. I had sent a special delivery letter one week prior to departure, just in case they would still be alive and well. After all, we hadn’t heard from them since 1969. Upon entering Izsofalva, my father’s birthplace, the first person I spoke to told me that my letter had been received and my first cousin Zoltán Vigh was anxiously waiting for me. It was a joyous occassion and I was able to meet 7 relatives and was told of many more. At my mother’s birthplace at Abanyszolnok, it was a repeat situation. There too my letter had preceded me and they were anxiously waiting. I was greated by my mother’s nieces and a nephew. I was also informed of all the other relatives who were living elsewhere in Hungary. It certainly was a memorable day. Sunday was a special day for the 18 people in our tour group. The conference had set this day aside for the ministers and the people to learn about one another by visiting with each other and getting to know one another. Our group from the Hungarian Reformed Church in Allen Park, Michigan U.S.A. was to visit the people and church at Hajdubagos which is near Debrecen. We attended their church service that was jointly conducted by their minister, Rev. Szabó Gizella and our minister from Allen Park, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan. A delicious dinner followed the service. Together there was much visiting and good fellowship. We learned about their customs, including some oldtime cooking methods using the big outdoor baking ovens. I had the opportunity to speak with their chief elder, Balogh Imre, and other officers. Sadly it was time to depart. Many good wishes and special gifts from the church were exchanged. The Hajdubagos Church people were marvelous and beautiful people. We took with us back to America many fond memories and hopes for better communications and unity between the Reformed Churches in America, Hungary and the World. On Monday June 24th, the Debrecen Program’s closing Ceremony took place at the Nagytemplom, the large Hungarian Reformed Church in Debrecen. The conference was over for our group but the (Continued on Page 8)
