The Benedictine monastery of Pannonhalma is the bulwark of Christian Europe - President of the Republic Katalin Novák emphasized on Saturday, opening the commemorative year starting on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the reconstruction and consecration of St. Martin's Basilica.
After the celebratory mass, the President of the Republic said: the founder of our state asked the Benedictine monks to pray at all times for the survival of the country, and his request was kept and has been kept ever since.
The Benedictines do not destroy the world, but build it, heal their environment and do not poison it. They do not create chaos, but harmony, they take care of order, not disorder, they educate and do not make them crazy.
The President of the Republic emphasized: the education that takes place at the Pannonhalm Benedictines can and should be an inspiration for the entire Hungarian school system. Pannonhalma is the cradle of Hungarian education, where knowledge and faith are united. Competitiveness and moral education together. These strengthen and do not weaken each other, he emphasized.
Katalin Novák reminded that the organization of the Hungarian kingdom was only a dream when, at the request of Prince Géza, St. Asztrik came to Hungary in 996 and the first Hungarian Benedictine monastery was established on St. Martin's Hill. Asztrik was the first abbot of Pannonhalma, the first and certainly extremely successful diplomat of the nascent Hungarian state. He successfully completed his mission with Pope Sylvester, he brought the crown for King Stephen from Rome.
The church and school built on the mountain are visible from afar, a reference point that points the way, the Benedictine monastery of Pannonhalma is the bulwark of Christian Europe, with eternal rules, faith and values.
Hungarian history of more than ten consecutive centuries is condensed in Pannonhalmán, especially in its main building, the basilica, which was consecrated 800 years ago this year; the city built on the mountain, the living Christian spirituality gives hope to all of us.
“Hope because they could never destroy it. He never lost his faith, he never denied his nation" -
said the President of the Republic, highlighting: Pannonhalma has survived the Tartar invasion, Turkish invasion, fire and global conflagration during the thousand years. Pannonhalma overcame several bitter periods, preserved its traditions, expanded and renewed its environment and never for a minute forgot its Christian mission.
Its monastery is now more than a thousand years old, its basilica is 800 years old and its school is more than 200 years old. Hungary needs Pannonhalma, the mountain that rises to the sky.
Katalin Novák recalled the burning of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, adding: let's be thankful that the Pannonhalm basilica is not destroyed or burned down, but beautified and expanded.
"Let's give thanks that we can stand here strengthened and not weakened, that we can witness the construction and not the degradation. And let's also give thanks for the fact that the 800-year-old walls command respect for us, prompt self-examination and can serve as a place of prayer"
- pointed out the president of the republic.
The Mass preceding the opening of the commemorative year was celebrated by Michael Wallace Banach, Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary. In addition to the invited guests of honor, the entire Pannonhalm community - monks, students, teachers - took part in the first event of the series of celebrations of the famous anniversary.
MTI
Featured image: President of the Republic Katalin Novák gives a speech at the opening of the commemorative year starting on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the reconstruction and consecration of St. Martin's Basilica in Pannonhalmá on November 11, 2023.
MTI/Koszticsák Solid
