Fraternity-Testvériség, 1986 (64. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)

1986-01-01 / 1. szám

Page 4

TESTVÉRISÉG

secondary and 120 primary schools — the so-called “particulars” — and it was partly due to this that the Kollegium earned the title of “the school of the nation.” The Reformed Colleges of Sárospatak and Papa had similar networks. It was the Kollegium that supplied the “particulars” with teachers and books that were printed in the newly created printing establishment (since 1561) of the Kollegium. And the “particulars” sent their more talented students on to Debrecen for further studies, regardless of their economic status. The Church and the Kollegium had an extensive system of scholarship, reflecting the people-oriented spirit of the Reformation — the Kollegium was in no way the school of the rich.

The Kollegium from the beginning carried out a two-fold calling: it primarily had to train ministers and teachers to spread the Word of God in the spirit of the Reformation, and secondly it had to preserve the best traditions of Hungarian history inspiring the self-consciousness and political independence of the nation. This two-fold calling is also expressed in the motto of the Kollegium: ORANDO ET LABORANDO (by prayer and work).

Of course, fulfilling such a call was not too easy, and the Kollegium had to experience certain periods of adversity, even decline. At the end of the 17th century, the Turks were at last driven out of the country only to have the Hapsburgs gain overall control of Hungary, leading to the rapid decline of Transylvania as well as Debrecen, which then led to the War of Independence in 1704-1711. The uprising for religious freedom and national independence, in which students and professors of the Kollegium actively participated, was crushed, and it was difficult for the school to avoid the resulting repression. Nevertheless, the Kollegium had the spiritual resources for renewal. It is not accidental that the central symbol in the coat-of-arms of Debrecen is the Phoenix rising out of her own ashes. In fact this coat-of-arms was later to become that of the Reformed Church of Hungary, too.

Generation after generation, the Kollegium trained ministers, teachers, and statesmen to be guardians and spokesmen of the people of a troubled nation. It also provided the nation with poets and writers, such as: Csokonai, Kölcsey, who wrote the national anthem which is unique among its European companions since it is a remorseful and devout prayer to God, in the tradition of the Psalms of David, rather than a march expressing national pride; Arany, who was the bard of the

nation after another defeated War of Independence; Petőfi, best known poet to all Americans of Hungarian origin; Ady, the prophetic “whip of God.” The list could be continued. In one way or another, these poets, and of course, the nameless village ministers and teachers, had testified to this two-fold calling of which the Kollegium is both instrumental and symbolic.

The Kollegium was also host to many historic events. To mention only one, during the 1848-49 War of Independence, when Debrecen became the capital of the country for a short period of time, the Chapel of the Kollegium (Oratorium) housed the national assembly. It was from the pulpit of the Chapel that Kossuth inspired the nation of self-determination, and it was here where the Hungarian parliament declared independence from the House of Hapsburg in the spring of 1849.

Background of the Nearly 250-Year Old KANTUS

It was organized by an eager reformer of the Kollegium, the young professor of languages and mathematics, György Marothi in 1739. Prior to that, the Kollegium had only a funeral quartet, which he extended to be a mixed choir of 30 members.

The KANTUS has preserved its century-old organization, reflecting the spirit of the old student republic. Popular vote selects the leaders including those in charge of the scores, rehearsal rooms and travels. The superintendent of the choir is annually selected from the staff of the Secondary School and the Theological Academy, alternately.

The KANTUS was a male choir, but since 1954 it is co-ed. Students of theology, schoolboys and girls volunteer for the often difficult and demanding but rewarding and beautiful work of the choir. The repertory of the KANTUS includes pieces of old and contemporary church and secular music, and it has especially dedicated itself to the interpretation of the works of Kodály and his school. The regular task of the KANTUS is to sing at the special occasions of the School, the Theological Academy and College, the Church District and in congregations on a national level.

The KANTUS is a congenial and spiritual community that is capable of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ wherever it performs, and thus, it maintains our hope in the religious revival of our youth. These young people are also the conscious heralds of a troubled nation. The gift of such a calling gives exceptional power to their singing, and it is often the KANTUS that makes the Kollegium appealing to students entering it.