The Eighth Tribe, 1975 (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1975-04-01 / 4. szám

April, 1975

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

Page Seven

Takacs Barboe:

QUATRECENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ALBERT SZENCZI MOLNÁR

Renowned Hungarian Literary and Theological Scholar-W riter-T ranslator

The 400th anniversary of the birth of one of Hungary’s intellectual and literary geniuses was held on Sunday, February 23, 1975 at the Magyar Reformed Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey. A commemorative program was arranged under the auspices of the Gabriel Bethlen Family Circle, whose president is Nicholas Csergo.

The afternoon’s events included the Kodály Chorus, singing a cappella in Hungarian, led by The Reverend Andrew Hamza, the CV. Psalm whose words speak of directives to individuals by way of the following: “0 Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works... He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm... That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.” This was a most befitting opening theme in honor of Albert Molnar’s creative genius and translator of the 150 Psalms into Hungarian (which were already in Latin and French and more than likely other European languages) thus giving all of the former nation’s individuals the opportunity finally to express their religiosity and reverence deeply-felt for the Universe’s Creator. His work entitled “Psalterium Ungaricum, Szent Dávid Királynac és Prophetanec Száz Ötven Soltari” (sic.) (translated: Hungarian Psalter, Holy King David’s and Prophets’ 150 Psalms) among other noteworthy contributions to Hungarian life and religion, were and are still to today respectfully honored.

The writer, Gyula Gombos, thereafter proceeded with an informative presentation of illustrative points of interest regarding the celebrated personage of Albert Szenczi Molnár — that is, of the latter’s having been borne in 1574, studying in various locations such as Debrecen, Strassburg, Heidelberg and Frankfurt and elsewhere as well; he was well-known also for additional works which included prayer books, sermons and other literary writing. Traveling about Europe occupied much of his life (starting while he was only in his ’teens) and was greatly befriended by such notables as Johannes Kepler, German astronomer; Gabriel Bethlen, prince of Transylvania and

Albert Szenczi Molnár

king of Hungary, as well as other famous leaders in governments and sovereignties. The gathering was informed further about numerous interests and activities that Molnár pursued, together with other life statistics and that at about 1626, he finally journeyed to Kolozsvár, dying there in 1634, at the age of sixty.

Other artists as participants in the afternoon program included The Reverend Imre Bertalan, tenor soloist, with piano accompanist Rosemarie Noon, presenting several psalms lauding our Greatest King, The Lord, plus Psalms CXXX., XLVL, LXXX., etc.

Recitation was made of the Hungarian translation by Albert Szenczi Molnár of the LXV. Psalm by Piroska Nagy. Another verse by Nicholas Veress entitled “The CLIII Psalm” was given by Susan Kovács.

Further, The Reverend Dr. Andrew Harsanyi eloquently contributed historical notations of the diversified nature of Albert Szenczi Molnár, giving the audience thorough insight into the essence of his character and constructive works. Dr. Harsanyi recounted various highlights in Molnar’s life which proved to be enjoyably informative — especially in regard to those facts which may have been little known or long forgotten perhaps to many of his listeners. For instance, that Albert Szenczi Molnár was born in the town of Szencz where his forebears had settled; his father’s surname being Szekely but acquired in addition “Molnár” because he became by vocation a miller — which is the English equivalent of that particular Hungarian term! Albert was the second of six children, starting school at ten years of age and already beginning to study Latin,

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