On the occasion of our biggest national holiday, August 20, in the Highlands, our state founder King Saint István and his legacy - our more than a thousand years of statehood - were commemorated in a dignified way.
The commemoration of King Saint Stephen in Komárom was traditionally held in front of the Saint Stephen statue in Lúdpiac Square. The celebration was organized jointly by the Jókai Public Culture and Museum Association with the Egressy Béni City Cultural Center. The ceremony was opened by the dancers and orchestra of the Szőttes Kamara Folk Dance Ensemble, which won the Foreign Hungarian Award, with Gömör and then Vág-Garamköz dances, then the Kristóf Melecsky performed Sándor Reményik's poem Mi a Magyar.
Margit Keszegh reminded of the history of the erection of the statue of St. István in Komárom, which was commemorated for the 15th time this year at its pedestal. He emphasized that it is important for everyone to prove their ability, so the community will be more successful.
"King St. István's admonitions help us in our efforts to build the future. It is our duty to preserve and carry forward the legacy of our founding king in the Carpathian Basin"
László Szarka, lecturer at the Selye János University, senior employee of the Rubicon Institute...emphasized that the Slovak-Hungarian conflict accompanying the statue's inauguration in 2009 cannot be forgotten at the statue of St. István in Komárom. This shows, he opined, that the Slovak politician of that time was not aware that without the country of St. Stephen, not only the Hungarian nation, but also the Slovak nation would not exist.
On August 20, Friday, our state-founding apostolic holy king was celebrated in the coronation St. Martin's Cathedral. Pilgrims from near and far gathered in good numbers for the six o'clock mass in the evening. The main celebrant was Father Tamás Molnár, the pastor of the Hungarian Catholic community in Bratislava, and the concelebrant was Robert Masicza, deacon-parson of Csallóközcústerós. There was no shortage of believers and scouts dressed in national costumes this year either.
In his homily, Father Tamás noted with joy that, thanks to God, we can celebrate together again after last year in the coronation cathedral, which is so close to us and connected to us, the feast of King St. Stephen. very important to stand up for our values, our intellectual treasures, to choose the right kindergarten, school, church for our children and grandchildren, if we can, to participate in the currently permitted public Masses, to appreciate this, to support it, as well as our cultural events that offer a rich program...
...The liturgy ended with the supplication of the faithful, which was read by the ministers in turn, praying for the youth, the pledge of the Hungarian future, our kindergartens, schools, teachers, Hungarians working and studying in the crowning city, and our institutions. The girls dressed in national costumes and the scouts, as well as other believers, brought sliced bread, fruit, and other donations to the altar.
During the communion, the song beginning "Sing about victory, sunrise and sunset..." was sung, which was the anthem of the Eucharistic Congress in Budapest in 1938. The last verse addresses our king, the founder of the Christian state:
"Orphaned people of King István, bow your foreheads too. Get down on your knees, throw all your worries and sorrows before him. The cross was the pillar of your hope for a thousand years, let the sign of Christ be the pledge of your better future."
Kristóf Zilizi's entire article can be read on the felvidek.ma portal.
(Header image: velvidek.ma)
