Journal index

The relocation of the Reformed Theological Faculty from Aiud to Cluj in 1895 was preceded by a heavy dispute lasting several decades, and settled ultimately by the clash between Bishop Domokos Szász, promoting the relocation to Cluj, and Professor Ödön Kovács, militating for the stay of the institution at Aiud. The debate on the closure of the theological institution of Aiud was clearly one of the topics of everyday discussion during the final quarter of the 19th century, as reflected in contemporary newspaper articles. This study scrutinizes the related articles of one of these local newspapers, Közérdek (Public interest) during the year 1896, when the theological institution of Aiud was finally closed.

Zsigmond Varga, snr. was a pioneer in the field of Religious Studies in Hungary. His life and fate remarkably reflects and mirrors the history and fate of Hungary during the historically tense 20th century. The present study attempts to show the connections and reflections between Zsigmond Varga’s life-events and the historical tragedies and developments in Hungary. The seven decades of his life reflects five significant periods of Hungarian history from the very last golden age of Hungary during the end of the 19th century until the post-World War II communist era. The present study argues that the central issue of his legacy is the incorporation of the study of religions in the curriculum of theological training.