Evangélikus Élet, 1956 (21. évfolyam, 1-44. szám)

1956-07-29 / 31. szám

In our last Issue we save an account of the commencements of the Assemblies of our Seniorates in July. These assemblies bear witness of a prospering church life. The seniors reports deal with the ecumenical service of our chureh and send their hearty welcome to the session of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. These reports survey the whole life of our church and give detailed accounts of each congregation.

Assemblies of Seniorates

PEST SENK)RATE:

Bishop László Dezséry D. D. installed Pastor Emil Koren in his senior office on the 20th of July at an assembly held in the Budapest-Kőbánya chinch. At this occasion communion was distributed by the bishop. Seniors János Válint, Zoltán Káldy and Tibor Görög were also present. At the second half of the assembly the newly installed senior gave a detailed account of the work of his seniorate.

HAJDŰ-SZABOLCS SENIORATE:

At their assembly held at Nyíregyháza Senior Lajos Megyer pointed out: Our church has bom witness that she wishes to continue her life as church in the changed circumstances of our nation that she may serve the members of our church, our people and the whole of mankind.

In connection with the Central Fund he stressed that this was the measure and the mirror of the maturity' of the church and her responsible services. He welcomed the new edition of our Hy'mnal, the steps taken on behalf of the training of choirmasters, the-new parish office order, the new regulations in connection with church-buildings. It appeared from his report the total membership in parishes had increased, there were more baptisms, contributions were 6000 Ft more, offerings 12 000, donations 39 000 forints more comparing with figures of the previous year.

FEJÉR-KOMÁROM SENIORATE:

At their assembly held at Budapest Senior Tibor Görög spoke of an improved sense of community. He mentioned our foreign guests and the journeys of our bishops abroad. He stressed the importance of the working i communities of pastors. Both the number of baptizms and the amount of contributions have increased in this seniorate. Greater contributions have been made towards buildings and renovations.

Matra: the Scene of the Central Committee-Session

THE BEAUTIFUL Grand Hotel Galiya was built on the most beautiful spot of Hungary in the midst of the Matra mountains in a height of 1000 meters and a distance of 110 kilometers from Budapest. The serpentine starting from Gyöngyös at the foot of the mountain presents a beautiful view when climbing upwards. After many turnings in the midst of the forest we are suddenly confronted with the magnificent building.

That will be the home of Central Committee of the World Council of Churches holding its session in our country. The up-to-date building, with every modern facility is situated in the midst of a park of 32 acres, it belongs to the Trades Union Council. It is open the whole year around, and caters for approximately 7000 workers yearly. The Hotel has 136 employees, its own bakery, carpenter and other workshops, a hairdresser and barber’s shop, its own gardners school and kindergarten for the children of its employees. Its laundry' washes clothes for guests in 24 hours. Ina well-equipped surgery all medical treatment s can be had.

THE HOTEL can house 260 persons. The dining room has 140 seats so that guests take meals in two turns. The Central Committee session will be held in the lounge designed for 200 persons. In the panelled room special place will be reserved for the representatives of the Press, Film, Radio, and TV.

Bedrooms are for 1 — 2—3- persons, they are comfortably furnished with

built-in-wardrobes and most rooms have bathrooms too. All rooms facing the Kékes mountain have balconies with a beautiful view.

WILL THERE BE opportunities for recreation and sports during the session ? The usual means of recreation are at the disposal of the guests. The Hotel has also a fine swimming pool.

AT LAST we visited also the Hotel’s Post Office where preparations are being made for unusually large service. Four long-distance lines are being put up, two of which are suitable for overseas calls. A telegram office and a pressroom are also being furnished. There will be a separate postal service from Budapest, bringing about 80 newspapers from abroad every morning. During the time of the session the Galiya post office will use a special stamp.

We left the Hotel in the hope that our guests will feel themselves at home here.

WE CONTINUED our journey to the Lutheran and Reformed recreation-homes at Mátraszentistván Mátra- szentitnre, and Mátraháza respectively. All three recreation-homes belonging to our churches have made preparations to give board and lodging to the Hungarian participants (about 100 persons) of the session.

We hope that the beautiful Matra surroundings and the hospitality will also help the work of the Central Committee.

Rev. Géza Juhász

HOMEWARDS...

If someone wishes to find out about the beauty and value of our lovely country then I advise him to look up the recently published book, „Guide-book on Hungary”. Six hundred pages and several hundred colourful pictures present one with an interesting and thrilling journey. Page 613 tells us of a beautiful farm world with huge vineyards and orchards near Kecskemét, the town famous of its apricots. This place is called Helvécia named after a Swiss pedagogue who dreamed of a world of vineyards and orchards in the midst of the sand deserts on the Hungarian Plain. How wonderful that the world is one big family: that the joint effort of a Swiss man and a couple of Trans-Danubians produced the 2.000 acres of vineyards, which was able to provide — peaceful and tranquil homes to numerous families and then was able to present the world with the fruit of its work.

During my twenty-two years service at Kecskemét I was the pastor of Helvécia too. I often visited them in Christ’s mission. The Lutheran Congregation House is situated in the midst of a vineyard, with the small bell cage surrounded by drooping acacias and red geraniums. How wonderfully Christianity is able to become one family : members of the Lutheran and Reformed churches formed one community in this little farmchurch. On Sundays Lutheran and Reformed pastors alternately held services and distributed communion. In the beautiful vineyard of this service the successors of Luther and Calvin served and prayed together in fraternal love and peace before the Lord’s cross. Their memory brings many a dear recollections to me. I was equally at home in the friendly houses (with a lot of flowers of course) of the Lutheran Uncle Dombi and the Reformed Uncle Szőke. How they stood there in the gate-way for those twenty- two years either welcoming or saying

good-bye to me and whenever I shook hands with them I always felt two hands but one spirit. Their friendly glance, their deep faith, their clean church and neat homes often come back to me and when the faint chimes of the evening bells reach me here at Budapest I find myself praying with them together as I did oncé at Helvécia . . .

One day a curious thing happened to me during a service at Helvécia. The small church was packed with the hardworking sunburned folk of the vineyard. Their hearts were longing for the word of God as the thirsty earth waits for the rains in May. The sermon was on the true vine . . . Christ is the vine and we are the branches . . . He who abides in Him, he it is that bears much fruit. . .

Preaching on the parable I noticed an unknown young man in the first pew. His presence disturbed me so much so that by the time I got to the announcements — although ] it was not anticipated for this Sunday I announced a communion.

After the finishing hymn people were going out of the church. I remained alone with the unknown young man.

„Uncle Dombi please lay for the communion. The Lord has a guest today.”

And I distributed the communion to this single unknown young man. — Afterwards we had a talk. . . He was going home to the vintage. But first he wished to take part in another eternal vintage that he may go home with peace, forgiveness, and happiness in his heart.

We mortals all are homewards bound . . . The eternal vintage of God is awaiting us . . . In the meantime we are guests at the laid table of Christ that we may have strength, forgiveness and peace so as the homeward way may be fine for us and for all. . .

Rev. Lajos Friedrich

In the Lutheran Church of Hungary where a lot of nationalities have been represented, the correct interpretation and practice of the love of one’s country has been Patriotism. Agressive chauvinism and nationalism have always raised conflicts among various nationalities even within our church. Unfortunately this has actually happened in the past, but those Lutherans have been right who sought to serve their country not in helping to raise conflicts with other nations but in uniting other peoples with their own for the benefit of their country.

Ágoston Wimmer belonged to the latter. He was pastor of Felsőlövő (Burgenland today). Bom in Vienna, his mother-tongue was German and the majority of his congregation was also German.

When Kossuth and Petőíi started their fight for liberty, for the liberation of the oppressed peasant classes, and when many other results of the 1848 Freedom-war were realized, Wimmer thought time had come for him to appear before the public.

György Bauhofer, Lutheran pastor of Buda wrote in his diary on the 4th of September 1848, that he and several friends were waiting for Wimmer in vain at his rooms in the Hotel „Queen of England”. Wimmer spent hours at a discussion with Kossuth, the result of which became soon known. Wimmer translated into German Kossuth’s appeal calling all citizens to defend the country. This was not a mere translation but an inspiring pamphlet written in Kossuth’s spirit. As Wimmer himself stated “with appropriate additions as best- suited to the German mind”. This pamphlet published in 10.000 copies according to the decision of Vas county. Wimmer sided the Freedom- war with all his authority. His bold patriotism was also appreciated by the National Government. His patriotism was based upon the love of his people. Wimmer, together with many others in Europe expected as a result of the victory of the Freedom-war the independence and friendship of nations, the improvement of peoples’ rights, and social progress. Wimmer together with the Hungarian Lutheran public opinion found these social requirements just and necessary to which full church support may be granted.

Wimmer remained faithful to these principles even when the Freedom war took an unfortunate turning. And he was hidden by his devoted parishioners when the Austrian secret police tried to capture him.

Lutherans gratefully remember him in whose life the service of the Word of God was coupled with an active service to forward friendly relations among peoples.

Ernő Ottlyk D. D.

Wimmer’s Patriotism

SERVICES

to be held at Budapest on July 29

Deák tér church: 9 a. m. Rev. Miklós Ma- docaai (with communion); 11 a. m. Rt. Rev. Franklin Clark Fry and Rev. Marc Boegner; 7 p. m. Rev. Zoltán Dóka. Fasor church: 9.30 a. m. Rev. György Mezősi; 11 a. m. Rev. György Mezősi; 7 p. m,. Rev. György Mezősi. Dózsa street chapel: 9.30 a m. Rev. Károly Sülé. Üllői street chapel: 9.30 a. m. and 11 a. m. Rákóczi street church: 10 a. m. (Slovak) Rev. Jenő Szilády D. D.; 11.45 a. m. (Hungarian). Karácsony street chapel: 10 a. m. Thaly street church: 11 a. m. Rev. Sándor Bonnyai; 6 p. m. Rev. Sándor Bonnyai. Kőbánya church: 10 a. m. Rev. Emil Koren. Utász street chapel: 9 a. m. Rev. Emil Koren. Vajda street church: 11.30 a. m. Rev. Emil Koren. Zugló church: 11 a. m. Rev. Andor Muntag (with communion). Gyarmat street chapel: 9.30 a. m. Rev. Andor Muntag. Rákosfalva church: 5 P. m. Rev. Andor Muntag. Fóti street church: 11 a. m. Rev. András Gádor (with communion); 7 p. m. Rev. András Gádor. Váci street chapel: 8 a. m. Rev. András Gádor, üjpest church: 10 a. m. Rev. Lajos Blázy. Dunakeszi church: 9. a. m. Rev. László Matuz. Rákosszentmihály church: 10.30 a. m. Rev. Mihály Tóth-Szöllős; 5 p. m. Rev. Mihály Tóth-Szöllős.

Bécsi kapu tér church: 9 a. m. Stud, theol. Attila Szllas; 11 a. m. Rév. Lajos Várady; 7 p. m. Rév. Miklós Benes. Torockó tér church: 8.30 a. m. Rév. Lajos Várady. Öbuda church: 9 a. m. (for children) Rev. Tibor Sárkány; 10 a. tn. Rév. Tibor Sárkány (with communion); 5 p. m. Rév. Tibor Sárkány. Tarcsay street chapel: 9 a. m. Rev. László Danhauser; 11 a. m. Rev. László Danhauser; 7 p. m. Rev. László Danhauser. Pesthidegkut church: 10.30 a. m. Rev. Gyula Groó. Kelenföld church: 8 a. m. Rev. Frigyes Muncz; 11 a. m. Rev. Frigyes Muncz; 5 p. m. Rev. Zoltán Rezessy D. D. Németvölgyi street chapel: 9. a. m. Rev. Zoltán Rezessy D. D. (with communion). Budafok church: 11 a. m. Rev, Robert Visontai. Nagytétény chapel: 8 a. m. Rev. R. Visontai. Kelenvölgy chapel: 9 a. m. Rev. István Bottá. Albertfalva church: 11 a. m. Rev. István Bottá. Csillaghegy church: 9.30 a. m. Rev. Vilmos Kaposvári.

EVANGÉLIKUS ÉLET

Lutheran Life — English Edition A weekly published by the Press Department of the Hungarian Lutheran Church Editorial and publishing Office:

12 Puskin utca Budapest, VIII. Responsible Editor and Publisher: Bishop László Dezséry D. D.

563506. Athenaeum (F. v. Soproni Béla)

Early Christian Relic Found at Óbuda-Ácquincum

IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT CONSTRUCTIONS in the Obuda- shipyard an important and interesting archeological relic has been come across. The proconsul’s palace of the Roman “Pannónia Inferior” has been found, which was built by Hadrian, later emperor of Rome (117 —138) in 107 —108 A. D. during which years he served as first proconsul of this province. It is of special interest that a Roman brick was found in 1952 which was built into the wall of the proconsul’s palace. The letters of the so called SATOR-quadrangle well-known to theologians, archeologists and ethnographs were carved into this brick. The five words of the

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quadrangle show a misteriously regular form : Read from either side the same words are obtained. The words of the quadrangle as a fluent text have little meaning. ’’The sower holds the plough, the worker the wheels” it was tried to be translated in this way. It is even more mysterious that the letters of the five words may be put together in a form of the cross giving us the two first words of the Latin Lord’s Prayer and the symbolic signs of A and O (i. e. alpha and omega). The latter is witnessed by Rev. 1:8, 21 : 6, 22 : 13 : God i. e. Christ is ’’the beginning” and „the end”, who created everything and in whom all things are summarized. This analysis of the SÁTOR quadrangle shows us that we are dealing here with an ancient and mysterious Christian symbol, which perhaps served as a mysterious sign among Christians. ____________

THIS ACQUINCUM RELIC is important from two aspects. On the one hand the SÁTOR quadrangle is the second of this kind proceeded only by two similar bricks found in Pompeii. Pompeii was destroyed by the erruption of Vesuvius in 79 A. D. and the Sátor quadrangles found there were probably made not long before. This Acquincum relic to all probability originating from 107 is only a few decades younger than those found at Pompeii. Chronologically this is followed by two relics from the third century : one of them was found in Dura-Europos in Mesopotamia the other in Cirencester in England. In all these cases the letters are carved on the wall similarly as in the case of the Acquincum brick : the word ROTAS stands on the first place.

ABOVE THE SATOR-quadrangle

found at Acquincum there is a short inscription which is the beginning of a joke well-known in ancient days : this sentence also has the same meaning when read from left to right or vica-versa. This is followed by the SATOR-quadrangle in someone else’s handwriting. All texts were engraved into the moist clay with a sharp tool previous to burning. As bricks used for building the proconsul’s palace were made by Roman legionaries it is not impossible these words were written by two Roman soldiers. One might have tried to find out in this way whether the other was a Christian or not.

The second important feature of this relic is that it might be the earliest trace of Christianity in Pannónia. It is most likely that the Roman soldier who engraved these words into the brick was himself a Christian or at least stood in connection with Christians. We may say that this brick is the earliest Christian relic found in Hungary. It is therefore interesting and illustrative for the rapid sqread of Christianity.

________Prof. Károly Karner D. D.

Th

e Church at Deák tér: Scene Of the Ecumenical Service

Already since the era of reformation there have been living Lutherans scattered in Pest. The present community was founded in 1787 under the name of The Lutheran Church of Pest. The building of the church was decided on in 1791. They began to collect in the year of 1792 the sum necessary for the building of the church. " Almost the whole country came to the help of the Pest assembly. The Lutheran assemblies of Alberti, Pilis and Cinkota offered transport. The foundation stone was laid on the 31st Oct. 1799. The church was finished after nine year’s building. The church is regarded at present as a monument. It is one of the valuable buildings of the so called Hungarian empire style. The prominent representative of this style was Michael Pollack, the designer and builder of the church, who was also the constructor of the National Museum and many other famous buildings. A highly interesting episode of the church’s history was that in the great flood of 1838 it gave shelter to many thousands of people, regardless of their denominations.

In the Deák tér church there were always prominent priests, like John Molnár, the church building clergyman, Joseph Székács, “the pastor of the country”, William Györy, the world known translator, whose names are mentioned with love even to-day and whose memory is marked by the assembly on a memorial plate.

A mighty assembly developed round the church which slowly regrouped

itself at the beginning of the century round the new churches. After the Liberation the mighty church of Pest ich grew to more than ten thousands of souls, made the congregations independent.

This Whitsuntide the church celebrated the 145th anniversary of its dedication. On the occasion of an agape in June we described the past of the assembly.

The responsibility towards the church is stronger throughout the believers, nevertheless the assembly has to make great effort to keep their building in order. In the past year with the state subvention and large sums of loans, the parish was reconstructed and rebuilt with an expense of 800.000 Ft, and this year the roof of the church is going to be renewed.

The Deák tér church is often the scene of events of national importance. Mutual Protestant festivals, the universal prayweek’s festival divine services are mostly held here. The Bach concerts and John’s passions of the Lutherania choir and orchestra of the assembly count as national events and are evoking interest among our fellow-believers abroad. The foreign visitors of our church have often preached in the Deák tér church and among the brothers who arrived now for the meeting of the Central Committee there will be some, who enter a well-known, familiar church on the occasion of the ecumenical divine service.

Rev. Károly Hafenscher

A New Hungarian Translation of the Lutheran Symbols

The Great Synod of our Hungarian Lutheran Church in 1934—37 as well as the Great Synod convened in 1948 introduces the church- laws with a preamble. This preamble emphasizes that our church is based upon the Word of God revealed in the Old and the New Testaments expressed in the Ecumenical Creeds, in the Invariated Augsburg Confession, in its Apology, in Luther’s Small and Great Cathechisms, in the Smalcald Articles and in the Formula of Concord through the witnessing power of the faith. Therefore it was necessary that these Symbols of our Church should become the common property of our churchmembers in an easily understandable and theologically reliable Hungarian translation.

In 1934, the General Assembly of our Church decided upon the publication of a collective edition of our Symbols both in Latin and Hungarian languages. The war however made this publication impossible.

In 1952 our church leaders once more decided to publish a Hungarian translation of the Lutheran Symbols. The Press Department of our Church undertook the publishing; the professors of the Theological Academy were asked to prepare the translation

for publishing. First of all the professors fixed the main lines of the translation, which were: 1. Reliability and accuracy in a grammatical and theological respeot. 2. Clarity and intelligibility best suited to the Hungarian language of today. 3. A possible concordance. In this connection it was felt unavoidable to retain some phrases deep-rooted in church terminology. As to the original text from which the translation should be made the professors decided to translate every Symbol from its original language.

The translation of our Symbols has now been accomplished along these lines and has also been compared with the former translations. Our Press Department is planning the publication of this work in a four volume edition. Volume 1 contains the introductory historical and theological studies. Volume 2 includes the Ecumenical Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, and its Apology. Volume 3 : the Small and Great Cathechisms and the Smalcald Articles. Volume 4 : the Formula of Concord and the register. Volumes 2 and 3 are ready for print, volumes 1 and 4 are in preparation.

Prof. Dezső Wiczián D. D.