First Coptic Orthodox Church in Hungary Consecrated

Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) of Alexandria has consecrated the first Coptic Orthodox church in Hungary in the country's capital, Budapest. The consecration came a day after national celebrations of the founding of the Hungarian state which the Coptic Orthodox pope participated in at the invitation of the Hungarian government. More here.

Russian, Romanian Orthodox Hierarchs Celebrate St. Stephen's Day in Budapest

On the new style celebration of the feast of St. Stephen of Hungary and the celebration of the founding of the Hungarian state Archbishop Mark (Golovkov) of Yegorevsk, auxiliary of the Moscow Patriarchate and administrator of the Eparchy of Budapest, and Bishop Siluan of Gyula of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of Hungary concelebrated the Divine Liturgy in Budapest's Cathedral of the Dormition, afterwards staying for a celebratory meal with the cathedral's parishioners. During the state celebrations of the holiday later that day the rector of Budapest's Church of St. Sergius, Archpriest John Kadar, was awarded the Knight's Cross by the President of Hungary. More (in Russian) here.

Pope Shenouda Preaches Weekly Sermon, Prepares for Visits to the USA and Hungary

Taking rumors of his death lightly, during his weekly Wednesday sermon Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) of Alexandria told those present that he "came from the other world" because he missed his flock. The Coptic Orthodox pope will travel to Hungary next week to consecrate that country's first Coptic Orthodox church and then make a brief trip to the United States for medical checkups. More here.

Hungarians Call for Investigation of Alba Iulia Attack

Hungary's ruling party has called on the Romanian government to investigate a recent attack on a Hungarian Catholic clergyman in the city of Alba Iulia during which the clergyman's attackers shouted anti-Hungarian slogans and beat him with baseball bats. More here.

Relations between Hungary and Romania have been improving in recent years, but Romania's Hungarian minority still faces a great deal of discrimination for its past dominance of local government when Transylvania (now northwestern Romania) was part of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Metropolitan Hilarion Meets with Representatives of Church and State in Hungary

During a visit to Budapest for an interreligious conference Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk of the Russian Orthodox Church met with the primate of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary and the Hungarian prime minister to discuss the possibilities for cooperation between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in Hungary and the European Union in the defense of 'family values.' More (in Russian) here.

Romanian Minister Visits Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in Gyula, Hungary

The members of the Romanian government's council of ministers responsible for the Romanian Diaspora has visited the Romanian community in neighboring Hungary, making a stop during his visit at the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of Hungary to meet with Bishop Siluan (Manuila) of Gyula. More (in Romanian) here.

Romanian Orthodox Church in Hungary to be Recognized as a 'Historic Faith'

The Romanian Orthodox Church in Hungary will soon join a list of its historic faiths, which to date has included the Roman Catholic Church, the Reformed Hungary, the Evangelical Church, and the Union of Hebrew Communities. More here.

Hungary Considers Designating Romanian Orthodox Church a 'Historic Church'

The Hungarian Parliament is considering a draft law that if implemented in its current form would designate the Romanian Orthodox Church as one of Hungary's "historic churches." In a meeting with Laszlo Szaszfalvi, the Secretary of State for Religious Affairs of the Hungarian government, Patriarch Daniel (Ciobotea) of Bucharest proposed that the Hungarian government also assist in the restoration of Romanian Orthodox churches in Hungary as some church properties in the country haven't been returned to the Church since the fall of Communism. More here.