Gyula Makoviczky: "There will always be something going on in the church"

photo: privateGyula MakoviczkySince the beginning of January 2012, the theologian Gyula Makoviczky is the third "International Wittenberg Resident". The 40-year-old Hungarian knows Germany. Wittenberg is not a strange place to him, and he studied theology for two semesters at the University of Erlangen, focusing on church history. He did not come alone. His wife Sofia and his 20-months-old son Mathias accompany him. In Hungary, the family lives in the third-largest city of the country: Szeged. It is the sunniest place in Hungary, at the southern border near Serbia and Romania.

luther2017: Have you settled in well in the Luther City of Wittenberg?

Gyula Makoviczky:  Actually, I was originally due to come to Wittenberg one year ago. However, the birth of my son one and a half years ago has totally disrupted the schedule. At that time, Mathias would just have been too young. However, I was able to postpone my stay. Via e-mail I received the good news of having been designated as resident. Now I am very happy to be here in Wittenberg as a Hungarian pastor. With my family, I live in the city centre. Out of my window I see the bustling market place.

I like the city very much. I know Wittenberg. Eight years ago, I was here for two weeks to attend a church history course. At that time, I visited the Luther House, the Melanchthon House and the Cranach House. It was very impressive. In spring, I want to explore the region by bicycle.
You are now the"International Wittenberg Resident".

What are your plans?

Makoviczky:  I want to do many things. As resident, I co-operate closely with the office of the Evangelical Church of Germany in Wittenberg, in order to establish an international network. At the same time I stay in touch with my home church in Hungary and provide information to them about events, projects and opportunities during the Luther Decade. Generally, I want to stimulate curiosity about the heritage of the Reformation and its significance. I also look after international and ecumenical guests in order to engage into theological dialogue and debate with them. In Wittenberg, I will participate in events of the local church parishes.

I especially want to get the Hungarian church in touch with all kinds of institutions here in Wittenberg, for example with the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Martin Luther Federation, and the Lutheran World Federation. I will welcome, and look after, Hungarian groups travelling to Wittenberg, so that they can feel at ease here. During my stay, I want to translate the book "Luther. Mensch zwischen Gott und Teufel" ("Luther. Man between God and the devil") by Heiko Augustinus Oberman into Hungarian. It definitely shall be published before 2017. Another large topic of my work concerns Hungarian Protestant theology. I want to compile a list of all Hungarians who have studied in Wittenberg during the last 500 years.

Will your Hungarian home parish come to visit you in Wittenberg?

Makoviczky: Yes, that is the plan. It would be great if my people could come to Wittenberg in summer, with a fully occupied coach. I want to travel with them through the heritage of Martin Luther's Reformation. My Hungarian confirmation candidates will come here for the international confirmation candidates' assembly in autumn.

What preparation are made for the Luther Decade and the Reformation anniversary in Hungary?

Makoviczky:  The first preparations are already being made, especially in the area of music. A couple of book exhibitions are also planned. It is my tasks to promote all this. Since I have previously worked in a parish, I still do not have the full overview of all Reformation anniversary celebrations in Hungary. I must make sure that I get it.

How are the Protestant churches represented in Hungary?

Makoviczky: There are not many Protestants in Hungary. The country has just a little more than ten million inhabitants. Around 100,000 of them call themselves Protestants, perhaps there are even less. The large majority of the population is Roman-Catholic or belongs to the Hungarian Greek-Catholic church, followed by the Calvinists and, only then, the Lutherans. I think that there will be a good co-operation between the Reformed churches for the anniversary.

2017 is the year of the great Reformation anniversary. What do you personally look forward to?

Makoviczky:  I like it that this anniversary will mean that we are going to have a celebration that lasts for about 30 years. In 2017, there is the Reformation anniversary. But the celebration will continue. After all, the papal bull and other treatises also have their anniversaries, and on February 8th, 2046, there will be the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's death. This means that there will always be something going on in the church during the years to come. I love being a part of this. I want people from all over the world to travel to Wittenberg and to pay more attention to the Evangelical Church and the Reformation, at home in Hungary as well as here in Germany.