religion

Hungary donating EUR 10 m to advance peace process in Syria

Hungary is donating nearly 10 million euros with the aim of advancing peace in Syria and helping Syrian refugees return to their homeland, the state secretary in charge of aid to persecuted Christian communities said on Facebook on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of an international conference held in Brussels on support to Syria and to countries accommodating Syrian refugees, Tristan Azbej said he was promoting the Hungarian government’s “pro-peace and anti-migration position and solidarity with persecuted Christians” at the conference.

He said Hungary’s position urging the international community to do everything to ensure that Syrian refugees could return had been shared by Lebanon and other neighbours of Syria.

“Western proposals under which refugees and migrants would stay in other countries without limits are dangerous and unacceptable,”

Azbej said, arguing this would seriously burden the recipient country and enhance risks for them.

Azbej noted that the nearly 80 participants of the conference did not include any religious leaders from the Middle East. “Not only is it pointless to discuss Syria’s future without religious players, without the churches; it is also impossible to make peace and help the most vulnerable,” he said.

Hungary has previously helped “those suffering in Syria” with a donation off 25 million euros and will continue promoting stability in the region, helping Christian communities and contributing to the prevention of migration, he said.

Azbej said the Hungarian donation includes health equipment for Egypt to help with services delivered to Syrian refugees, as well as a contribution to humanitarian programmes in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq in coordination with Christian partner organisations.

Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians celebrated Pentecost in Csíksomlyó in 2024 – PHOTOS

Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians gathered in the mountain range of Csíksomlyó in Transylvania’s Szeklerland, Central Romania. Apart from being a religious pilgrimage, Csíksomlyó means much more for the Hungarians: a place where all Hungarians can meet once every year to celebrate the religious holiday.

Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Jesus, but it means much more for many Hungarians. Hundreds of thousands of people go on a pilgrimage on this holiday to Csíksomlyó, one of the sacred places of the Carpathian Basin. Religious participants can get full absolution at the pilgrimage, but many non-Catholics also take part.

Csíksomlyó became a pilgrimage site in the 15th century, and the most important creation of the Pilgrimage Church was the statue of the Virgin Mary made between 1510 and 1515.

In 2024, László Felföldi, the bishop of Pécs, celebrated the Holy Mass, talking about the importance of making peace in ourselves and the world. He said there are “physical, spiritual” wars. He highlighted that we need a renewal and strengthening of faith and love.

The pilgrims will start to travel home this afternoon.

Here is our photo report of this year’s pilgrimage and celebration in Csíksomlyó:

Many participants arrive on horseback. Below, you may check out some photos of the participants of the 7th Márton Áron Equestrian Pilgrimage:

And on foot, behind crosses:

Large crowds listened to the mass of the bishop of Pécs in Csíksomlyó this year despite the bad, rainy weather:

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Why do hundreds of thousands of Hungarians go to Csíksomlyó on Pentecost? – Read more HERE
Shops are closed today and tomorrow in Hungary! Here are the exceptions – Details in THIS article

May 19, 2024

Shocking discovery: Long-lost Hungarian church found under tennis court – PHOTOS

In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists excavating the site of the Visegrád monument complex, slated for revival, unearthed the ruins of the Church of the Virgin Mary beneath a tennis court. Constructed during the reign of King Sigismund, the Hungarian church had lain hidden until now. Here are the fascinating findings of the archaeologists.

Chasing Visegrád’s past

Turizmus.com reported that in March, extensive research on Visegrád’s history revealed new findings, including traces of a settlement from the Turkish occupation era located in the lower castle. Additionally, a likely Turkish burial site and a collapsed oval-shaped furnace were uncovered at the citadel’s entrance. However, archaeologists were most excited about the excavation at the site of a tennis court next to the royal palace, where a Franciscan monastery, founded by King Sigismund, once stood. This site promises to yield important historical insights into the Hungarian church’s story.

Discovering the Hungarian church

On the first day of excavation at the site, archaeologists discovered the remains of a Hungarian church and a crypt in front of the high altar, where over a hundred late Gothic vault parts from the sanctuary were found collapsed. In the debris of the crypt, they uncovered the remains of three bodies. Nearby objects, including a spur and several lead shotgun pellets, indicated these were likely the bodies of soldiers. Additionally, a copper bowl with surface indentations possibly made by weapons was found, suggesting the church was not only looted but also the scene of a violent conflict.

According to the Hungarian National Archaeological Institute the discovered Hungarian church “is thought to have collapsed after 1544, when Visegrád fell to the Ottoman Turks, burying for centuries the remains of the royal castle’s former wealth and ruin, which were brought back to light by archaeologists’ excavations”.

Future plans

The Visegrád Renaissance programme is set to oversee the reconstruction of significant historic sites, including the Lower Castle, Solomon’s Tower, the valley wall and the moat as well as the refurbishment of the Visegrád Citadel and the Royal Palace. Alongside cultural enhancements, the initiative will also improve infrastructure and boost tourism. The complex will be pedestrianised and made more accessible, with a new link between the lower and upper parts of the castle system. The work will be conducted in multiple phases to ensure that the citadel, the lower castle and parts of the Royal Palace remain accessible to visitors throughout the reconstruction.

Here are some photos from the excavation site:

Hungarian temple Visegrád — Source: Facebook / Nemzeti Régészeti Intézet

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May 10, 2024

March of the Living to be held in Budapest this Sunday

The March of the Living commemorating the victims of the Holocaust will be held in Budapest on Sunday, the head of the board of the March of the Living Foundation said.

March of the Living to be held in Budapest

Gábor Gordon told a press conference on Thursday that the programme will start with the inauguration of a memorial plaque marking the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust at the Dohány Street synagogue, and the march will set off at 3 PM.

Nearly 100 Holocaust survivors are scheduled to be transported by electric cars as part of the march heading to the Keleti railway station, he added.

The 20th March of the Living event will also commemorate the victims of last year’s 7 October terrorist attack in Israel, he said.

Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the deputy state secretary in charge of civil and social relations, said that the government was aware of the sins committed by the government of the time, and its current responsibilities. This is also demonstrated by the special government support granted for the Holocaust 80 memorial year, he added.

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May 2, 2024

Isten hozott! – Pope Francis greets Hungarian people in Hungarian

Pope Francis greeted the members of the Hungarian National Pilgrimage in Vatican City on Thursday, organised on the occasion of the anniversary of his apostolic visit to Budapest.

After a greeting in Hungarian, the pontiff said he had undertaken the visit in 2023 “as a pilgrim, a brother and friend”. “In the city of bridges and saints,” they had prayed for “peace instead of war, a hopeful future that is full of cradles rather than graves, brotherhood rather than walls”, he said.

He thanked Hungarians for accepting Ukrainian refugees “with an open heart”, and concluded the speech with a Hungarian greeting (“Isten, áldd meg a magyart!”).

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April 25, 2024

New president of Hungarian Reformed Church Synod elected

József Steinbach, bishop of the Transdanubian Reformed Church District, has been elected president of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary, the website reformatus.hu reported on Wednesday.

New Reformed Church Synod head elected

The participants of the meeting held behind closed doors issued a resolution acknowledging that reformed bishop Zoltán Balog had resigned from the post and expressed appreciation of his services for the church, the website said.

The Synod then unanimously elected Steinbach.

Dániel Pásztor, bishop of the Cistibiscan Reformed Church District, who has been acting president since Balog’s resignation, will remain the vice-president of the Synod.

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April 25, 2024

Hungarian and Italian governments work together for persecuted Christians

The governments of Hungary and Italy support a Europe of sovereign, strong nation-states, the state secretary in charge of the program to help persecuted Christians said on Tuesday at the end of a two-day visit involving government and church consultations.

Tristan Azbej said he had met Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli and discussed joint activities in Africa, helping persecuted Christians and the approaching European Parliament election.

“We agreed that it was vitally important to strengthen political forces promoting a Europe similar to that supported forcefully and consistently by the Italian and Hungarian governments,” he added.

The meeting gave an opportunity “to compare political views and targets about the role of the European Union, especially in the crisis areas of Africa and the Middle East and in developing countries” he said. Rome and Budapest have “very strong shared positions” in development policy, he added.

He said the governments of Italy and Hungary believe that illegal migration must be stopped instead of managed. He added that an international aid policy was being developed to find the most efficient and humane way of reducing migration, with support being taken to where the problems are.

Hungarian and Italian governments work together for persecuted Christians 2024 — Hungarian and Italian governments work together for persecuted Christians.

Azbej presented Hungary’s actions in Africa to the Italian government representatives, including the Hungary Helps program opening a representative office in Chad to carry out humanitarian, development, and peace promotion activities and other actions taken in the Sahel.

read also: Hungarian aid shipment arrives in Africa

At a meeting with Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta Riccardo Paterno di Montecupo, he expressed thanks on behalf of the Hungarian government for the partnership between the Hungarian government, Christian churches, and organisations of Christian faith, including the Hungarian Maltese Charity, which covers social services, health, education, and international aid. The Hungarian Maltese Charity is a partner of Hungary Helps in Syria and Kenya.

The Grand Chancellor expressed thanks for Hungary Helps’ participation in Lebanon and urged the successful cooperation started in 2019 to continue in the future.

They also discussed humanitarian aid to civilian victims of the war in Ukraine and the Gaza conflict.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, also expressed appreciation of the Hungarian government’s cooperation with Christian churches and organisations of Christian faith around the world.

read also – Modern paganism: new religious craze in Hungary?

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April 9, 2024

Modern paganism: new religious craze in Hungary?

Modern paganism is one example of a line of movements that turn away from established religions and towards ancient traditions. These contemporary movements are becoming more and more popular in the world and Hungary, as well. Here is a look at some trends, and a possible explanation for their popularity.

What is modern paganism/neopaganism?

The word pagan comes from the Latin paganus, meaning villager, rustic, or rural, a collective term used in the Roman Empire for those who did not practice Christianity or Judaism but some other ethnoreligion, or were polytheistic.

When we speak of neopaganism (also contemporary/modern paganism), Réka Szilárdi writes on litera.hu in a study of the current paganist resurgence, it denotes the modern followers of longstanding pagan traditions. While paganism is an umbrella term for an eclectic array of smaller groups, generally speaking, paganism is polytheistic, it is centred around nature and/or magic, and its followers typically aim to reconstruct pre-Christian cults.

This new kind of movement can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, when countless new religious movements appeared worldwide, all of which tried to provide answers to the uncertainties in the modern world, such as the issue of climate change.

In the last 60 years, the movements have spread from the United States to Central Eastern Europe, and today, their followers can also be found in Hungary.

Modern paganism is conquering the internet

The recent expansion of modern paganism is closely related to internet trends, index.hu writes in its article about the religion in Hungary. The witchtok (i.e. witch TikTok) community on TikTok, for example, has a large following, full of fortune-telling, astrology, card reading, and natural remedies, among other nature-related practices.

Despite popular belief, modern paganism does not involve animal sacrifice or other similar procedures. On the contrary, the followers of neopaganism seek to draw attention to harmony with nature.

Scholars of the phenomenon believe that the popularity of paganism can be explained by the fact that today, many people are disillusioned with the modern world. Because of this, they are looking for alternative worldviews.

Indeed, in the United States, the number of people who identify as pagans has increased tenfold in 20 years: today there are approximately one and a half million followers of this movement. Similarly, this alternative worldview is also very popular in England and Wales: while in 2011, roughly 57 thousand people declared themselves pagans in the census, by 2021, this number reached 74 thousand.

At the same time, looking at the census data, it can also be seen that the number of followers of the traditional major religions is constantly decreasing.

Modern paganism pops up in Hungary

The decline of traditional religiosity is also typical in Hungary: in 2001, the census counted 5.5 million Catholics and 1.6 million Protestants, by 2022, their numbers had decreased to 2.9 million and 950 thousand, respectively.

“Today in Hungary, the number of people who belong to some kind of pagan community can be put to at least ten thousand, but maybe even more.”

theologian Zoltán Cser, director of the Dharma Gate Buddhist Church, told Index.

Cser finds that for many people a return to the countryside is very attractive, due to its distance from the modern world. Many people strive for self-sufficiency and want to be close to nature. And more and more, they turn to pagan religions, because they feel that the historical churches are not able to give answers to their problems.

In her study, Szilárdi highlights that modern paganism in post-socialist countries shows significant differences compared to its Western counterpart. In Eastern European countries, the revitalisation of pre-Christian, local tribal traditions (and ancestral religions), and the assertion of national identity are extremely important for the communities. For example, shamanism is prominent among these groups. For this reason, (sometimes radical) right-wing political activity can often be observed in these groups.

At the same time, interest in more “Western-type” religions, such as Wicca, is also present in the country. For these groups, which Szilárdi calls “imported” movements, the issue of national identity is less central.

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April 9, 2024

Japanese man wanted by Hungarian police for theft from Budapest Orthodox church

suzuki george japanese man suspect hungarian police

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Japanese man after it emerged he stole from an Orthodox church in Budapest in early January.

Japanese man suspected of stealing from a Budapest church

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Japanese man after it emerged that a perpetrator stole large amounts of money and other valuables from the Hungarian Orthodox Diocese in Budapest in early January, the National Police Headquarters (ORFK) Communications Service said in response to a question from Telex on Wednesday.

The perpetrator is suspected of theft to a significant value.

According to the police website, they are looking for a man named Suzuki George, born in Saitama in August 2002, for whom both international and European arrest warrants have been issued.

The suspect:

suzuki george suspect hungarian police — Suzuki George. Photo: police.hu

As previously reported by the Russian news agency RIA, large sums of money and other valuables were stolen from the building of the Hungarian Orthodox Diocese in Budapest in early January. Money and other property were stolen, some of which was in the safe. RIA reported that the theft scene was searched, and fingerprints and DNA samples were taken.

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April 4, 2024

Easter celebrations to be led by leaders of historic churches

Leaders of the Catholic, Reformed and Lutheran churches will celebrate Easter in Esztergom, Budapest and Sajóvelezd, respectively.

Cardinal Péter Erdő, the head of the Hungarian Catholic Church, will lead the vigil on Saturday evening in St Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest. On Sunday, Erdő will celebrate mass at the Esztergom Basilica, while Reformed Church Bishop Dániel Pásztor will hold a service in Sajóvelezd, in north-east Hungary, and Tamás Fabiny, the head of the Lutheran church, will hold a service in the Buda Castle.

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March 31, 2024

OIC delegates gather for iftar in Budapest – Photos

In the heart of Christian-majority Hungary, the Islamic ritual of iftar, marking the breaking of the Ramadan fast, is a less common sight. Yet this ancient tradition plays an important role in bringing Muslims together in Hungary and around the world.

Though small, the Muslim community in Hungary is a patchwork of ancient ethnic groups and recently arrived newcomers. This vibrant mosaic enriches the Hungarian social landscape with cultural richness and traditions.

Iftar and OIC

The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Budapest organised a special gathering of ambassadors and diplomats from Islamic nations. This event celebrated unity: representatives of the 57 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Hungary prayed and had dinner together.

Among the participants was Alpár Kató, owner of Daily News Hungary, who captured the moments in the photos below:

iftar in Budapest — Iftar in Budapest. Photo: Daily News Hungary

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March 29, 2024

Discover ancient ceiling paintings in Veszprém Castle Quarter: centuries-old art unveiled

Hundreds of years old ceiling paintings found in the castle quarter of Veszprém

Ceiling murals dating back to the late 1800s were discovered during the restoration of the canonical buildings in the castle quarter of Veszprém. The former chapel of the Small Seminary (Kisszeminárium), also in the castle quarter, was found.

Several rooms on the floor of the Canon’s House (Kanonoki Ház) also contain 19th-century ceiling paintings in a historicist, partly neo-Renaissance style reminiscent of previous periods.

The identity of the artist is not known, but the paintings are all non-figurative and will make a very impressive display when fully restored, experts said.

Also on the canonry line in the castle is the late Baroque-style Small Seminary, dating from 1770. One of the rooms in the building, designed by Jakab Fellner, concealed a walled niche with an inscription on the back wall from 1797, signed by the master at the time.

The recently discovered wall seat may have been part of an earlier altar, which was later walled up. Only during the 2022-2023 excavations was it confirmed that this was a particularly richly painted room, which will be restored to its original splendour by 2025.

Biggest opposition party calls on Calvinist Bishop Balog to resign

The opposition Democratic Coalition has called on Reformed Bishop Zoltán Balog to resign from his positions in the church.

Olga Kálmán, the spokeswoman for the party’s parliamentary group, told a press conference that Balog is responsible for 23 kindergartens and 23 schools as the head of a church district. She called for an independent investigation of “whether there have been instances of child abuse in the church-run kindergartens and schools under Balog’s purview”.

Balog has resigned as president of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary in February, after his role was questioned in a decision of former President Katalin Novák to extend a presidential pardon to a former deputy director of a children’s school, who had been sentenced to prison for trying to cover up sexual abuse committed by the home’s director. Novak and Judit Varga, the justice minister at the time, resigned from all their political positions in the wake of the issue.

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Reformed Bishop resigns after admitting he supported scandalous presidential pardon – Read more HERE
Hungarian bishop apologises over opinion given in support of presidential pardon

March 8, 2024

Pilgrimage announced in Hungary on anniversary of papal visit

The Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (MKPK) announced a national pilgrimage to Rome on the anniversary of Pope Francis’s visit to Hungary between 23 and 25 April.

Pilgrimage to Rome in April

Mass will be celebrated in Hungarian in one of the large basilicas in Rome on each day of the pilgrimage, with the last one held in St Peter’s Cathedral, the MKPK said in a statement after its regular spring meeting on Thursday. The pontiff will receive the pilgrims in the Paul VI Audience Hall on 25 April.

Noting that Pope Francis had declared 2025 a Jubilee year, the MKPK said that in preparation to those events, the Hungarian Catholic Church will participate in the first World Day of Children, held on the last weekend of May.

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March 7, 2024

Child abuse: Hungarian Reformed Church ‘expresses sympathy’ with victims

Children Fear Pedophile Paedophile child abuse fidesz

The presidential council of the Hungarian Reformed Church has expressed its sympathy with the victims of child abuse and said that it considered any ill-treatment unacceptable.

Child abuse case “burdens the members”

Referring to former President Katalin Novák’s pardon granted to a person implicated in a case of child abuse, which led to her recent resignation, the council said in a circular issued on Wednesday that the case “burdens Reformed Church members in their preparations for Lent”.

Concerning Bishop Zoltán Balog, former head of the Reformed Church Synod, who also resigned after the pardon came to light, the council said “he and his diocese have the exclusive right to make a decision concerning his post as bishop.”

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March 7, 2024

Hungarian culture minister in Egypt: National heritage ‘priority issue’

Preserving natural cultural heritage is of outstanding importance both for Egypt and Hungary, János Csák, the culture minister, said in Cairo on Monday, adding that the north African country served as an excellent example in that endeavour.

Csák told MTI by phone after meeting Nevine Youssef El Kelani that Egypt has a diverse national culture in which the Coptic Christian church and Muslims live side-by-side.

“Cairo’s government is making huge efforts to ensure that Christians, too, live peacefully in the country and to prevent violence stemming from religious differences,” the minister said.

Csák said he held talks on Sunday with Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s minister for higher education and scientific research, as well as the minister in charge of education.

“They think along the same lines as the Hungarian government about culture, which for them not only embodies the arts but a lifestyle, a way of thinking, and the way they see the world,” the minister said.

Csák said he briefed Egyptian government officials on the transformation of the model for how Hungary’s universities are run, and they expressed appreciation for the changes.

At his meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Kamal Madbouly on Sunday, he discussed the financing system of science and universities, and they agreed on launching joint education programmes with the launch of joint Hungarian and Egyptian diplomas.

Synod’s VP: Bishops did not vote in respect of Balog

The Presidium of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary, the four bishops and the three chief elders present did not take part in Tuesday’s vote of confidence held in respect of Reformed Bishop Zoltán Balog, the president of the church’s Synod, Dániel Pásztor, the Synod’s vice president, has said.

In contrast with press reports, the bishop of the Cistibiscan District said in a statement that he had not taken a position “on whether Zoltán Balog should stay or go at the conference preceding the meeting of the deans and the chief elders.”

“I will acknowledge and support the decisions of the president of the Synod in this situation, whatever they may be,” Pásztor said.

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February 15, 2024

Bishop Fekete asks Balog to resign as president of Synod

Károly Fekete, Bishop of the Transtibiscan Reformed Church District, has asked Zoltán Balog to resign as president of the church’s Synod.

Balog on Tuesday apologised for having supported a presidential pardon granted to the deputy director of a children’s home who was found complicit in child abuse. He said a meeting of the church’s officials had been attended by four-fifths of the officials and ended in a secret vote where 86 percent of those present expressed support for him.

Fekete said in a statement on Wednesday that he had asked Balog at the meeting, “with a theologically-based argument”, to reconsider his decision and resign as president of the Synod in view of the situation.

The majority of the deacons and chief elders present at the meeting gave a vote of confidence to Balog, who released a video message about the outcome of the vote, Fekete said, noting that he and Balog had spoken again on Wednesday.

“With all due respect to the outcome of the vote of confidence, today I once again suggested to Bishop Balog that he reconsider and resign from his position as synod president,” Fekete said, adding that he trusted that “keeping the unity of our church in mind, and consulting with the members of the Presidency Council, he will be willing to do so”.

He asked the members of the church communities and pastors to be patient until a decision is made.

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February 15, 2024