To mark the Year of Saint Ladislaus (László), Minister of State Lstván Mikola launched the “Foundation of our Past, Pillar of our Future, and Christian Values in the Regal Practice of Saint Ladislaus” conference, which was held on 17 May 2017 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In view of the fact that Dr. István Mikola is away on official business, the conference was opened by Minister of State István Íjgyártó.
In his speech, the Minister of State for Cultural and Science Diplomacy stressed that in the Year of Saint Ladislaus we are researching and organising the heritage of the knight-king so that we can revive in today’s age the values that once helped the country and the region achieve greatness hundreds of years ago.
In his opening lecture, Cardinal, Primate and Archbishop of Esztergom Dr. Péter Erdő emphasised that in Saint Ladislaus we respect the realiser of Saint Stephen’s life’s work and the creator of the country’s stability, who was regarded as a pillar of justice not only in life, but also following his death. “King Matthias is only remembered for being a just ruler in life, but when he dies, ‘justice died with him”, Saint Ladislaus, however, helped achieve justice and took the side of the vulnerable even from the grave”, the Cardinal said.
At the event, representatives of Church and academic life put forward their thoughts on the life’s work of Saint Ladislaus. President of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference Dr. András Veres highlighted humility and courage among the virtues of Saint Ladislaus: he did not don’t he crown until the death of King Solomon, but he defended the country and its faith from foreign peoples threatening from the East, and against division in the West. He also mentioned the Majk manuscript, which allows insight into the deep inner conviction that reinforced Saint Ladislaus in his Christian faith. He went into battle with a rosary wrapped around the hilt of his sword, asking for divine intervention. Bishop of Nagyvárad provided two main ideas for the Saint Ladislaus Year: the idea that “A good man derives good from his good treasures” and the idea of “Renewal from the roots”. From modern history, he highlighted 17 may 1964, when in resistance to the orders of the communist dictatorship, people of Nagyvárad form all denominations and ethnic groups formed a human chain to present the demolition of the Saint Ladislaus Church. Professor András Jávor drew attention to the fact that religious heritage and the Churches represent a cohesive strength that open the door towards cross-border Hungarians and our compatriots throughout the world. Father Zoltán Dénes spoke about the historical background to the pilgrimages of Saint Ladislaus and the related, value-creating initiatives. Professor Miklós Kásler portrayed Saint Ladislaus as a talented statesman who, following a period of chaos, took the throne and was capable of improving the fate of his people, and who created something outstanding, establishing the sovereignty and integrity of Hungary.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
