Category: News

The First Hungarian Presbyterian Church of Montréal celebrated its 90th anniversary on Sunday. We remembered those who emigrated or fled their country and were going through a hard time in their new home, and yet made worked hard to erect a church for the Hungarian protestant community. We applaud the vision and faith of the founders as they believed that after the hard times a brighter future will come when future generations will benefit greatly from this new church. Housed in the Hungarian United Church of Montréal, the organization offers Sunday school and regular services in Hungarian.

During the celebration service, reverend Attila György L talked reflected on mercy of God that shall keep his flock during hard times which is clearly evidenced by the longevity of this church. He overviewed the rocky history of Hungarians and the waves of immigrants that arrived in Canada. In his sermon, he remarked the uniqueness of the Hungarian culture and their heroic fights during their 1000 years of history protecting Europe from outside threats. He described the difficult situation of churches with immigrant congregations that presents challenges, but opportunities, also, and he cautioned against the complete assimilation.

Daughter of the founder Mihály Fehér praised the work of the forefathers and she reviewed the history of the Hungarian protestant community in Montréal with the challenges of the construction of this church. His granddaughter entertained the audience with a gorgeous song afterwards.

In his speech, his Excellency Dr. Ódor Bálint, Hungary’s ambassador to Canada emphasized the important role of the church to maintain the Hungarian identity, culture, language and religion in the diaspora. He reminded that soon we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution when more than 10,000 Hungarians found a new home in Canada. He praised the events of Hungarian Week in Montréal, and said that Hungary’s aim is to strengthen the relationship with the diaspora. His speech was followed by the singing of the Hungarian, Szekler and Canadian anthem.

After the service, the congregation entered the church hall where a multi course lunch was served to them by the dedicated volunteers of Csillagösvény Society. During the lunch, reverend Attila György L. read out to the crowd the greetings from Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dr. Zsolt Semjén, the latter congratulating the church on behalf of Hungary’s Prime Minister’s Office. Similar greetings arrived from many other churches from around the world, and at the end of the meeting Gyula Detre, a 100-year-old veteran member of the congregation saluted the church community.

We wish the church all the best in their future endeavours with the words of their reverend, Soli Deo Gloria.

Photos of the events are available in the Photo Galery of the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program
Dorka Kornélia Takácsy, KCSP program, Montreál

Brought to you by the collaboration of the National Alliance of Hungarians in Canada
Saturday, October 16^th at 6 PM
George Weston Recital Hall
Toronto Center for the Arts
5040 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M2N 6R8

Admission: $25, $35, $45.
Information: 416-250-3708
Ticketmaster: 1-855-985-2787, www.ticketmaster.ca

Ticket sales:

• Toronto: Pannonia Bookstore – 300 St. Clair W. #103 T: 416-966-5156
• Hamilton: Extra Hungariam Foundation – T: 905-923-9599, info@extrahungariam.ca, www.extrahungariam.ca

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Based on the massive input from our member organizations and, as such, from a large population of Canadians of Hungarian origin, the National Alliance of Hungarians in Canada is expressing its concerns about the deepening migration crisis in Europe.

The Alliance is especially troubled by the very negative image that Hungary is being given in the media. We also distance ourselves from the misleading articles which spread lies and absurd allegations – serving certain political aims. Thus far, Hungary has seen close to 230,000 migrants descend on its borders. As an EU country, it is obligated by the rules of the Schengen Agreement and the Dublin Regulation to register all these migrants. The migrants disregard the EU laws and demand free crossing of Hungary toward western and northern countries without registering and allowing their fingerprints to be taken. Many of them are defiant and rebellious, leaving behind a trail of unimaginable garbage and filth. A number of Hungarian police and border enforcement officers have been unjustly injured.

Despite this avalanche of often antagonistic people, the Hungarian Government, NGOs and humanitarian groups have provided them with food, water and medical treatment as needed – with very little assistance from the rest of Europe. We don’t see or hear much of those helping hands, yet they do heroic work each and every day. Hungary is burdened with a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions and is building a fence to defend itself – and the rest of Europe, as it has done over many centuries.

Most recently, both Austria and Germany have adjusted their approach to migrants, i.e. reinforced their own border checks, whereas initially they threw open their borders in violation of the Schengen and Dublin agreements and welcomed the migrants with open arms, only to collapse and rescind their promises once the first thousands arrived.

Hungary has done its part. Let others now share in the burden.

Hungary has just been emerging from a near-Greece like disaster by becoming one of the most vibrant economies of Europe, thanks in large part to its own ingenuity. In fulfilling its international and European obligations, Hungary has demonstrated its commitment to law and order, humanitarian intervention, and protecting its European partners.

For more information on the Hungarian perspective of this crisis and the NAHC, please refer to the Hungarian Reporter www.hungarianreporter.com or our website.

This press release was delivered to:

Brodie Fenlon Managing Editor, Digital Media, CBCnews.ca Mr. David Walmsley Editor-in-Chief,Globe and Mail Mr. Mark Stevenson Editor,Maclean’s Magazine Mr. Terence Corcoran Editor, Financial Post CTVNews.ca team

CC: His Excellency Dr. Bálint Ódor Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Stefánia Szabó Hungarian Consul General Mr. Peter Gyombolai Hungarian Diaspora Liaison

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