Kriza János és az 1868. évi emlékzsinat
János Kriza and the Commemoration Synod in 1868

Summary/Abstract: The paper presents the organizing circumstances for the celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the Unitarian Church, and the role that János Kriza played in it. It also analyzes the symbolism of the celebration, exploring those of its customary motifs which played a role in strengthening the identity of the community. The years following the fall of the Bach regime found Hungary in an active political climate, replacing the “passive resistance” of the years of absolutism. The 1860s also brought signifi cant changes in the life of the Unitarian Church. The office of the bishop, unfilled for nine years, was occupied by János Kriza in 1861. In 1864 the thought emerged that the Church could celebrate the 300 years of its existence within the boundaries of its membership. But due to the contemporary political circumstances that arose after the Compromise, the Church had to step out of the denominational frame and open the celebration to the broader public. In our paper we use the reports of the celebrations published in the Christian Sower. Reading its reports, we can conclude that this celebration contained all the elements commonly found in the programs of the time. One of these was the worship service. This was the starting point of the celebrations not only at religious, but frequently at secular commemorations. It was traditionally followed by the so called “commemoration” ceremony, and was closed by the gala, frequently lasting until dawn. Between the last two there usually was a banquet, or festive dinner. It was during these more casual programs that the pledges and toasts took place. Th eatrical plays were also part of the celebrations, sometimes even substituting for the commemoration itself. We also observe that the phraseology used to describe the celebration has not really changed over the last century and half.

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