Hungarians living on both sides of the border are also connected by the Nógrádszakály cross road.
Miklós Soltész, the Prime Minister's Secretary of State responsible for church and ethnic relations, said at the ceremony held at the parish church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the settlement of about 640 inhabitants near the Slovak border: the calvary was renewed for 25 million forints. He mentioned that on Wednesday the village's 500-year-old bell rang at noon on Kossuth Radio.
"We are in a very difficult situation in the world right now, but through the Stations of the Cross we can send a message that peace is the most important thing for us. The prayers of the Way of the Cross spread peace in the world, they should serve that," said Miklós Soltész.
Mihály Balla, the region's Fidesz parliamentary representative, called the Nógrádszakáli church, which was renovated a few years ago, a place where you can recharge your batteries. Each such place gives strength to the preservation of values and traditions, he said.
The 500-year-old Great Bell in Nógrádszakál is the oldest bell in the Váci Diocese, and based on its inscription, it was cast in 1523.
According to information published on the website of the diocese, the 450-kilogram bronze bell, whose lower diameter is 91 centimeters, is one of the oldest church bells in use in Hungary. The Cultural Heritage Directorate declared it protected in 1999. Its circular inscription in Gothic letters repeating on its upper side: O REX GLORIAE VENI CUM PACE, in Hungarian: Oh, Queen of Glory, come in peace.
The ear crown was sawn off in 1925 and replaced with a disc crown. According to tradition, the bell was hidden from the Turks in Ipoly.
MTI
