On Sunday, the Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Gyula, Hungary, marked the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Hungary.
On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Sofronie of Oradea, the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Hungary, together with His Grace Bishop Nicodim of Severin and Strehaia and His Grace Bishop Siluan, the current Bishop of Hungary.
The liturgical responses were offered by the “Saint Nicholas” Choral Group of the Archdiocese of Timișoara, conducted by Rev. Prof. Ionuț Ardereanu.
Romanians from Hungary and Romania
Among those present were Daniel Banu, Consul General of Romania in Gyula; Florin Trandafir Vasiloni, Consul General of Romania in Szeged; Gheorghe Cozma, President of the Self-Government of Romanians in Hungary; Maria Gurzău Czegledi, Director of the “Nicolae Bălcescu” Romanian High School in Gyula; Maria Gurzău Novákné, Director of the Cultural and Community Centre of Romanians in Hungary; Tiberiu Boca, Editor-in-Chief of Romanian-language radio and television programmes at the Territorial Studios in Szeged; Eva Iova Șimon, Director of the weekly “Foaia Românească”; and Corina Olaru, Director of the weekly “Cronica” of the Self-Government of Romanians in Hungary.
From Romania, several guests were present, including Daniela Bălu, Director of the Satu Mare County Museum; Fr Dan-Ionuț Lupuțan, Dean of Huedin; Fr Alin Scridon, lecturer at the Faculty of Letters, History and Theology of the West University of Timișoara; and Deacon Mircea Abrudan, associate professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca.
In his homily, Bishop Nicodim spoke about the life and example of Saint Mary of Egypt, who was commemorated on that Sunday and on 1 April.
Commemorative Moment
At the conclusion, His Grace Bishop Siluan presented several anniversary plaques to officials and benefactors. Among the recipients were His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Archbishop Timotei of Arad, former Locum Tenens of the Romanian Orthodox Vicariate in Hungary (1992–1999), Bishop Nicodim of Severin and Strehaia, Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Lugoj of the Timișoara Archdiocese, who began his ministry in Hungary, the Consuls General in Gyula and Szeged, and the President of the Self-Government of Romanians in Hungary.
The hierarch gave thanks to the Good God for all the blessings bestowed upon the clergy, monastics and faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Hungary, as well as to the hierarchs present and those who have cared for this community over time.
Cultural Event
In the second part of the day, at the headquarters of the Cultural Union of Romanians in Hungary and of the weekly “Foaia Românească”, an exhibition of photographs depicting significant moments and acts in the history of the Diocese was inaugurated.
Addresses were delivered by Bishop Sofronie, Bishop Siluan and Fr Marius Maghiaru, Dean of Budapest and President of the Cultural Union of Romanians in Hungary.
On this occasion, Deacon Prof. Dr Mircea Abrudan launched two books dedicated to Saint Andrew Șaguna; Fr Alin Scridon presented his documentary volumes on the history of Orthodox Romanians in Hungary between 1921 and 1944; and Daniela Bălu presented her book marking 105 years since the official recognition of the first Romanian Orthodox parish in Satu Mare.
The event concluded with open discussions and a reception offered by the organisers.
History
On 27 March 1946, the National Church Congress of Romanians in Hungary decided on the “establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Hungary, with its seat in Gyula, encompassing all Romanian Orthodox communities in the country”.
Thus, the Orthodox Romanians who remained beyond the borders after the Treaty of Trianon (1920) resolved to have their own diocese with a diocesan bishop.
The decision was validated by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church in its sessions of 12 July and 4 October 1950 and reaffirmed in March and November 1951. However, historical circumstances meant that the aspiration of the Romanian historical community in Hungary could only be fulfilled in 1999, when, on 21 February, His Grace Bishop Sofronie—now Bishop of Oradea—was enthroned as Bishop of Hungary.
Photo: Diocese of Hungary
