Translated Sermon #21: Concio XCIV by Enyedi György

For full text go to the menu on top of the UnitarianTorch home page, click on Translated Transylvanian Unitarian Sermons line, and then click on the title: SermonConcioXCIV.

Summary of sermon: The author of the sermon deserves as much attention as the topic.  Enyedi György was the third bishop of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church, until his death in 1597. He is called in some Hungarian language literature as the “Unitarian Plato”, because most of his writings and sermons focuses on the explanations of Bible verses.  He is noted for using everyday, mundane metaphors to teach the congregation about the meaning behind the words of Christ.  Hungarian translations of the Bible began to spread in his time, and it was important to teach churchgoers on their mother tongue about it.

The topic of the sermon was a constant task in Enyedi’s life: encouragement of the persecuted Transylvanian Unitarian believers that despite their small numbers, and despite the strife that historical events brought to their doorstep, there is a great reward is awaiting them.  This is kind of sermon that earned Enyedi the title “Unitarian Plato”, because he is teaching with all his ability, no holds barred; observe the range of Bible quotes he deploys to support his message!

In this sermon you look through a window into late XVIth century Transylvania, and hear the words of a contemporary of Shakespeare.  So, sit back, relax, allow your time machine to take you back to around 1594, and enjoy this gem of a sermon, available the first time in English.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Transylvanian Unitarian college and high schools

for partner churches

for seminaries and schools of divinity

HUNGARIAN UNITARIAN CHURCH HOLIDAYS

ABOUT SZEKELY CULTURAL IDENTITY

MAGYARUL BESZÉLŐKNEK