Hungarian Catholic News
August 2000.
One of the most prominent event of the Jubilee was the visit of I. Bartholomaios Byzantine and Pitirim, patriarch of Moscow and John Hind anglican bishop and their accompaniment and the masters of the maltese and johannite knight orders on 21 August. They were given a cordial welcome by Dr. Asztrik Várszegi, benedictine abbot-bishop at the gate of the monastery. After the reception a brief conversation was held in the St. Martin hall. Bishop Várszegi in his keynote speech was speaking of the role of monasticism in the ecumenism. He emphasized the importance of Hungary, since it is a bridge between East and West from cultural and geographical point of view as well. I. Bartholomaios agreed with him and underlined that Pannonhalma could really be a cohesive link because it had been founded before the schism. Later he was talking about the monastic paragon since he is a monk himself. He reminded the common roots and called the monks to visit each others in order to recognize and realize the union in Christ. John Hind anglican bishop mentioned the cumulative want for contemplation inside the anglican church and added that source of our christian union only God himself can be. The sincere and fraternal conversation was followed by a prayer in the presence of the relics of St. Stephen, St. Martin, St. Benedic and St. Adalberth placed on the altar. After the next programme, the common lunch, the guests saw the lions of the place and, as one could tell, had a good time in the ancient monastery.
Budapest. I. Bartholomaios Patriarch of Constantinople and Cardinal Angelo Sodano were received by Cardinal László Paskai, Hungarian primate on 19th of August in the morning. After a brief conversation the guests were given relics of St. Stephen as a gift. The relic holders had been made in the 18th century of gold and silver, studded with gems. Patriarch Bartholomaios said thanks and added: this gesture symbolizes the brotherhood between our churches and nations. He said, he felt respected for participating in the orthodox canonization of St. Stephen and the celebration as well. In exchange for it he gave a gold crucifix and a silver tray signed by him to the Hungarian primate. Cardinal Paskai confessed that the present would remind him of this day and takes it as a symbol of the two churches getting closer. At the following pressconference the papal legate answering the questions of the press said he would keep the relic in his own private chapel in the Vatican. He explained the pact between the Vatican and Hungary is not in the need of essential correction. The most important is to follow it. It is possible if both of the signatories have the good will. Some subtlety might be put into consideration in the scope of the financial help of the Church. It is necessary to make known in the society that the Church is for the good of the whole people by her versatile activity. Cardinal Sodano realizes the significance of St. Stephen`s orthodox canonisation. In the age of our first king the Church was one. For this reason his canonisation can initiate a dialogue between East and West in order to seek for unity.
_
Budapest. Ferenc Mádl president and Viktor Orbán prime minister received Angelo Sodano papal legate in the parliament in the morning. The cardinal conveyed II. John Paul' s message to the Hungarian people. The authorities of the state received I. Bartolomaios after who presented two icons depicting St. Stephen and Hierotheos to them and emphasized the key role they had played in conversion of Hungary. That was the reason for their recent canonisation. It expresses the historical and spiritual link between Hungary and the Eastern Church. He repeated this in his message to the Hungarian people, too and called our first king the shining pearl of Christendom. He said thanks to the president for the religious freedom and called the attention to the importance of sticking to the christian civilization, because in that case God will help the Hungarian nation.
Budapest. We are in common with every christian in the celebration of our first king and of the millenium of our statehood. That was sensed in the Dezső Szilagyi square protestant church on 19th of August afternoon. Among the participants were Voitto Huatari lutheran and Thomas Wimpf calvinist bishops, I. Bartolomaios patriarch of Constaninople, Angelo Sodano state secretary of the Vatican and László Paskai Hungarian primate and many others. They were welcomed by Gusztáv Bölcskei calvinist and Béla Harmati lutheran bishops. Bishop Bölcskei Gusztáv in his sermon stated that St. Stephen is a sample of right, law and faith for every Hungarian citizen. I. Bartholomaios spoke of how St. Stephen supported the Byzantine missionaries and founded monasteries for them, although he chose Rome over Constantinople. Angelo Sodano emphasized that faith in Jesus Christ is the link between the various churches and is the hope of the future. Let's give thanks to God for the donations He has given Hungary through its history - he said. The Lord's pray and blessings closed the ecumenical service.
_
The Byzantine Church celebrated the newly canonized saints in the Cave Chapel of Gellért hill in the morning of 20th August. They were going to have the feast in an other church downtown owned by the Russian Orthodox Church but the protestation against it had changed the original plan. As Patriarch Bartolomaios said in his sermon the place is not essential element of the celebration.
Budapest. The traditional solemn mass took place in front of the St. Stephen Cathedral in the afternoon of 20th August. The service was led by Cardinal Sodano with the participation of nine archbishops inclouding bishops from abroad. Beside them many guests were present: I. Bartolomaios Byzantine and Pitirin Russian metropolitans and other catholic, protestant and state authorities, such as John Hind anglican, Voitto Huatari finnish lutheran bishops and Thomas Wimpf president of the Swiss Protestant Union and Ferenc Mádl president of Hungary, Victor Orbán prime minister with their wives. Before the mass László Paskai primate and Edmond Stoiber Bavarian prime minister welcomed the multitude in front of the Cathedral and the television sets.(St. Stephen's wife, Blessed Giselle was Bavarian.) Right after Cardinal Sodano blessed the renewed facade of the Cathedral and handed the Pope's message which was read by István Seregély archbishop of Eger after the Gospel reading. The Pope emphasized how great presents had been given to Hungary through the history and how thanksful they should be for them. He encouraged Hungarians to draw the conclusions of the past and renew in spirit for the future tasks. Following the message Cardinal Paskai offered the country to Holy Mary and Zsolt Semjén, state secretary of ecclesial affairs made become known to the people the bull which officially canonized St. Stephen and Hierotheos Byzantine missionary. The traditional Holy Right procession followed the Mass. The route was extraordinary this time because the procession ended at the Parliament where the Holy Right and the Holy Crown met in a symbolic way inside the building. In front of it the representatives of historical churches and Ferenc Mádl president held their speeches.
Archived news
2000. 02.
Magyar Kurír -
Hungarian Catholic News Agency
Fax: (36-1) 266-61-04)
E-mail:
humk@communio.hcbc.hu