Magyar Egyház, 1995 (74. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1995 / 2. szám
8. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ THE CONSULTATIVE SYNOD OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCHES HAS BEEN FOUNDED The Consultative Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Churches came into being with the festive divine service held in the Grand Church of Debrecen, on April 19, 1995, where the participants were the delegates and guests from the Reformed Christian Churches in Hungary and from those scattered throughout the entire world. The solemn sermon was held by Dr. Elemér Kocsis, bishop of the Church District Beyond-the- Tisza, on the basis of the text in Ezekiel 37,1-14. Reading the lecture, the prayer service and the liturgy of the Holy Communion were pursued by bishops of the individual bodies of the Church, so by Dr. Kálmán Csiha, Dr. László Tőkés, Dr. Ferenc Vitéz, Dr. Imre Hodossy and Dr. István Mészáros. The opening prayer of the inaugural session was offered in the famous Oratory on April 20 by Sándor Forró, bishop (USA), on the basis of John 13,1-17. He emphasized: As in the case when Jesus washed the feet of Peter, humility played the most important role, also the Synod has to follow the way of humility. Following this, the formal opening, i.e. the statutory meeting took place in the ceremonial hall of the approximately 470 year old Reformed College. On that day, in accordance with the Statutes, the election of the officials by secret vote, came to pass. The 86 voters - by two rounds of voting - elected, with 46 votes Dr. Kálmán Csiha, bishop of the Reformed Church District of Transylvania ministerial president of the Consultative Synod of the Reformed Hungarian Churches and István Szabó, chief elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, in a single round with 58 votes, secular president of the Consultative Synod of the Reformed Hungarian Churches. The delegates amended the Statutes and brought about the post of a managing president, to which — and, at the same time, as the leader of Budapest Secretariat - by common consent - Dr. Lóránt Hegedűs, bishop, was elected. The Consultative Synod held its first working session on April 21, in the Budapest headquarters of the Synod. Here the working groups were developed, and, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Géza Boross, the questions linked to a common liturgy were discussed. Also the problems of a common hymnbook were discussed, led by Professor János Máté, president of the Committee of Hymnology. Beginning at 6 o’clock P.M., a festive divine service, with Holy Communion took place in the From Transylvania: Dr. Kálmán Csiha, bishop - the Ministerial President, and from the USA: István Szabó, chief elder - the Lay President. (From right toleft) Church of Kálvin Square, Budapest. As the host, Dr. Lóránt Hegedűs, bishop welcomed the guests and delegates. The festive preaching was pursued by Dr. Kálmán Csiha, bishop, ministerial president of the Consultative Synod. Dr. Mihály Márkus, bishop read the letter of congratulations sent by Árpád Göncz, president of the Hungarian Republic. The Synod continued its work on April 22 in the ceremonial hall of the “Ráday College”. At that time, the participants discussed the questions of common training of pastors, based on the presentation of Professor Dr. Ferenc Szűcs, president of the Committee of Theology. About the financial problems Gyula Papp, head of the Financial Department gave information. The statutory meeting and first working session of the Consultative Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Churches ended with the prayer and blessings of Dr. Lóránt Hegedűs, bishop. On April 23, Sunday, many of the participant ministers pursued divine services in about 40 congregations of all over Hungary. (Reformpress - Budapest)
