Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-03-01 / 3-4. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Bishop Francis Vitéz Eulogy - Rev. Albert W. Kovács at John Calvin Magyar Reformed Church Perth Amboy, NJ The Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Vitéz was a follower of Jesus Christ, who did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but humbled himself for the glory of God and the building up of the Church, and the edification of God’s people. Unlike Caesar, who came, saw and conquered, the life of Francis Vitéz was like that of a his Hungarian ancestors. They wandered the wilds of Asia until they found a pleasant plain, and settled there with their descendants for 1100 years - and going, and going, and going. The Psalmist wrote: For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers. ” - Ps. 39:12 The good Bishop’s early life was a most unsettled one, as the power hungry nations raged across the plains of his homeland. His Hungarian homeland was chopped up by the politicians of the day, and his village became a part of Czechoslovakia and his people an unwelcome minority in the land of their ancestors for a thousand years. He was compelled to spend his childhood and student years amid such chaos that his own parents were unable to attend several of his graduations. Imagine the heartbreak, to graduate as valedictorian and to be unable to share the thrill of victory. A high honor led him with a scholarship to graduate school in Paris, and struggles to survive in post World War II France, without funds, without food, bed in an unheated room and only odd jobs to barely survive. Yet the new Communist regime in his country thwarted his efforts to return home. He was, to all intents and purposes, an exile. Thank God for America. Like generations before, a New World country opened its doors and the palm trees of Santa Barbara welcomed him. He came to love his new country, exhilarated by its vastness and beauty, and found a new life, new friends, a similar yet somewhat different new church, a lovely bride and to enjoy again the blessings of children and family. He was, to all intents and purposes, at home. But, “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” He was bom a Hungarian, and he sorely resented having to leave his native land, and those who oppressed its people. Not because he was lacking in any love for America, but in emphasis of his pride in his heritage - civil, cultural, language and faith - which no tyranny could expunge, he never became a citizen of America. Yet he would not become a citizen of Slovakia! It was a moment of vindication when the government of Hungary issued him a recognition of citizenship. As we sing, “God bless our native land, firm may she ever stand,” so echoes the old words of the Szózat, which closes with a plea to be buried in the soil from which his dust came - and so it will be as his ashes are interred in the Felvidék family plot of Gy őrke. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ” Dr. Vitéz was noted for his scholarship, academic achievements and literary skills. As a youngster he demonstrated his prowess early on, earning scholarships as the class valedictorian of the high school, then again of the university at Sárospatak, and so on to the Sorbonne. Uprooted to this land, he overcame the language barrier of English and soon was back in school, despite work in the pastorate, earning a Master of Theology diploma from Pittsburgh Seminary, a Masters degree in Columbia University, and finally a Doctor of Ministry degree also at Pittsburgh. He was a skilled writer in both languages, evidenced by a number of studies he wrote on Hungarian church life in America, Christian Education, and Sunday School curricula. In the latter he gave evidence to his certification in Hungary as a teacher. Certainly he was distinguished by his role as Editor of the Calvin Synod Herald / Reformátusok Lapja for more than fifteen years, keeping alive and vital the oldest Hungarian Reformed publication outside Hungary. Honors were awarded him for his mastery of his native tongue as well, with silver and gold medals for poetry, and the plaudits of many for his classic book of prayers. Mark 6:4 (Mk. 6:1-6) - And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. ” The ministerial career of this faithful son of the Christian Church was one of commitment to the Reformation heritage to which he, like his ancestors, clung so tenaciously. Yet as aware as she was of the tragic years of internecine struggle, he held to a deep respect and appreciation for all parts of the Christian family, and sought out a warm relationship with ministers and priests of all traditions. His ministry was marked by eager participation in local ministeriums, sincere relationships with clergy of all churches, and numerous community events and activities. His work was not limited to this land as, upon the opening of Hungary following the Russian exodus, he served as a Delegate to the Hungarian Reformed Consultative Synod and also the Hungarian Reformed World Federation, which elected him a Vice President. His own faith journey was marked by the impact upon him of several ministers of the churches and schools, who not only talked the talk but walked the walk of Christ’s messengers. No one (Continued on page 5)
