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It Is Time that the Slovak and the Hungarian Nations Joined Together

Szöveg: Szabolcs Nyulas |  2016. június 20. 20:30

“For the Hungarian and the Slovak nations, the time has now come to join together and collectively tackle the challenges of our age”, Minister of Defence Dr. István Simicskó stated at a commemorative event held in the Zalavár memorial park, Hungary on Saturday, 18 June.

Galéria

Speaking at a St. Cyril and Methodius commemoration co-organized by the Hungarian and Slovakian military ordinariates and the Slovak Self-government of Budapest, the minister emphasized that all civilizations rest on a religious foundation – the European civilization on that of Christianity – and the people living here must not forget it. He added that the work of St. Cyril and St. Methodius reminds everybody of this fact. Mr. Simicskó also said that it was time that the Hungarian and Slovak nations joined together and collectively tackled the challenges of our age. “We have to join forces to be able to foster and preserve our Christian values", he stated, adding that all the walls separating the two nations must be torn down.

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The minister mentioned that one millennium ago, Cyril and Methodius did not only preach the love of Christ, but also prepared 50 monks in a year for spreading the Slavic liturgy as missionaries. “We all have the mission of teaching goodness, faith and Christian values, and of educating and bringing up valuable people", he added.

Speaking at the event, Slovakian Ambassador to Hungary Rastislav Kácer said that Cyril’s and Methodius’ exciting and eventful lives and their important work – including their achievement of translating the liturgy into Old Slavonic – has been giving motivation to people to the present day. Apart from the field of religion, this achievement by the two saints is a significant contribution to diplomacy as well, he added. “This feat of theirs should motivate all of us, Slovakians and Hungarians alike, just like the fact that our collective past binds us together", the ambassador pointed out.

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Catholic Military Bishop László Bíró told us that the present meeting is also important because it helps us find our common roots, i.e. faith, national consciousness and the protection of values. Speaking about the meeting, he noted that he has excellent relationship with his Slovak counterpart and the partner organizations. “We form a chain-loop in that movement for unity that is under way between the Slovak and the Hungarian nations", he added. In connection with the two saints, he also said that Cyril and Methodius – the creators of the Glagolitic alphabet – teach their followers to become educated, preserve their own values and get to know their own identity.

After the speeches delivered at the event, wreaths and flowers were laid in front of a statue of Cyril and Methodius that stands in the Zalavár historical memorial park. In what followed, László Bíró celebrated a Mass on the spot, and Slovakian Military Bishop Frantisek Rabek said a homily. Music at the event was provided by the Air Force Band Veszprém, led by Conductor Lt.-Col. János Katona.

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Photo: Tünde Rácz

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