Easter Traditions in Hungary

The Lenten season is a time of great importance for Christians around the world. For the Reformed Church in Hungary the solemnness of Holy Week and celebration of Easter is reflected in the community's traditions.

28/03/2013

címkék: easter

The Symbol of the Cross to the RCH

The use of the cross as a symbol is considered taboo in Reformed traditions, although it is not forbidden. "The cross is not responsible for anything," however it can awaken some "painful historical memories," says Károly Fekete, rector of the Reformed Theological University of Debrecen.

28/03/2013

címkék: easter

"You are witnesses of these things." (Lk 24:48)

The 2013 Easter message of the Reformed Church in Hungary is a video that examines what Easter means to 8-year-olds from class 2 B at Julianna Reformed Primary School. The students discuss why Jesus' death and resurrection is significant to them.

28/03/2013

címkék: campaign, easter

Extraordinary Synod in Lithuania

On 23 March, the Evangelical Reformed Church in Lithuania, a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, held an extraordinary Synod attended by Balázs Ódor, Ecumenical Officer of the RCH, as the representative of WCRC Europe.

25/03/2013

címkék: world communion of reformed churches (wcrc), Synod, Lithuania

We Are Not Alone – Leuenberg conference in Budapest

On the 18th of March during a conference held at the Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University, Reformed and Lutheran bishops commemorated the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Leuenberg Concord and Protestant unity.

22/03/2013

címkék: leuenberg

The greeting of the new Catholic leader

The Presidency Council of the Reformed Church in Hungary congratulates the newly elected Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis I, who was inaugurated on Tuesday.

22/03/2013

Küszöb Conference: Crossing the Threshold

The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid (HRCA) recently organized a conference to discuss the challenges facing disabled people in Reformed congregations as well as different ways churches have attempted to address these issues.

19/03/2013

címkék: hungarian reformed church aid (hrca), conference, handicapped, disabled

Birth of a Revolution

15 March is a national holiday and day of celebration in Hungary. It is a day to remember the Hungarian revolution in 1848 and subsequent war for independence from the Austrian-Habsburg monarchy rule.

14/03/2013

címkék: holiday, 1848, Hungary, 15 March, revolution

Hungary’s President to sign Constitutional Modification

Hungarian President János Áder announced Wednesday night in a public television address that he will sign the fourth amendment to the Constitution, which was accepted in Parliament Monday afternoon by 265 votes to 11 with 33 abstentions.

14/03/2013

címkék: law, church-state relation

Reformed Christian Church in Serbia Announces Béla Halász as new Bishop

Word has finally arrived from the Reformed Christian Church in Serbia on the church's tumultuous bishop election. Béla Halász has become the bishop of the RCCS now that the final appeal period officially ended with no further appeals.

11/03/2013

címkék: bishop, reformed christian church in serbia, Serbia, election

We All Sit At One Table

The RCH has launched a new visual marketing campaign to remind Hungarian people of the church's presence in society and motivate taxpayers to support the Reformed church when allocating 1% of their annual income tax for churches and NGOs.

06/03/2013

címkék: campaign, 1%

An Ecumenical Response to Annulment of Hungarian Church Law

The Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary released a statement on behalf of its member churches in response the Constitutional Court's decision on 26 February that annulled the Law on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and on Churches, Religions and Religious Communities.

05/03/2013

címkék: law, church-state relation

Remembering the Innovative and Caregiving Spirit of Rev. Endre Gyökössy

Recently, different memorials have been held remembering Rev. Endre Gyökössy, who introduced psychology and pastoral care to pastoral services in Hungary. The first was held on in the Synod Hall of the RCH and the other at Károli Gáspár Reformed University.

05/03/2013

címkék: in memoriam, gyökössy endre

Redefining Mission

An interview with Dr. Attie van Niekerk of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. Dr. Niekerk is a founding member and managing director of the NOVA institute. He recently visited Budapest to give a series of lectures on poverty and the redefinition of mission for today's Church.

28/02/2013

címkék: South Africa, interview, Dutch Reformed Church, poverty, mission, Attie van Niekerk

Current Hungarian Church Law Found Unconstitutional

The Constitutional Court declared provisions from the Law on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and on Churches unconstitutional and annulled these provisions with a retroactive effect.

26/02/2013

címkék: law, church-state relation

Update on Serbian Election

The Reformed Christian Church in Serbia has released a statement with updates on the state of its bishop election that has been appealed and debated since early January. You can read an interview with bishop nominee Béla Halász following the announcement.

25/02/2013

címkék: bishop election, Serbia, reformed christian church in serbia

Irregular Christian – celebrating the life of author Magda Szabó

Would anyone ever think that Magda Szabó, who wrote about the strictness of Christian upbringing, remembered with thankfulness her years spent in the Dóczy Reformed High School? Read how the internationally famous author never forgot her roots or her Reformed identity.

19/02/2013

címkék: szabó magda, szabo magda

Legacy of the Heidelberg Catechism

An interview with Dr. Ferenc Szűcs, emeritus professor of Systematic Theology at Károli Gáspár Reformed University, on the meaning and importance of the Heidelberg Catechism to the Reformed Church in Hungary as the church celebrates the confession's 450th anniversary.

14/02/2013

címkék: heidelberg cathechism, szűcs ferenc

A Week to Celebrate Marriage

February 10 marked the beginning of Marriage Week international, a project Richard and Maria Kane started in England in 1997. Currently, it is celebrated in 23 countries around the world, including Hungary.

11/02/2013

címkék: richard kane, marriage week, marriage

Still Hope for a Peaceful Resolution in Serbia?

The Synod Council of the Reformed Christian Church in Serbia has decided on the appeals process regarding the recent bishop election in Serbia. The Council agreed to repeal the election results and approved the convening of a Synod meeting.

07/02/2013

címkék: bishop election, Serbia, reformed christian church in serbia