Hungarian Secretary of State for Churches, Minorities and Civil Affairs is awarded by Patriarch Kirill

DECR Communication Service, 19.09.2023. 

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ has awarded Mr. Miklós Soltész, Hungarian Secretary of State for Churches, Minorities and Civil Affairs, with the Order for Glory and Honor, 3^rd class, in consideration of his work done for the development of interconfessional dialogue and in connection with his 60^th birthday.

The award was given to Mr. Soltész by Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary at the Cathedral of the Dormition in Budapest on September 17.

“The government of Hungary, unlike many European countries, attaches great importance to church life in the country. The Churches in Hungary enjoy support from the state not only as communities of people united by one and the same faith, but also as communities which are bringing a significant contribution to the upbuilding of Hungary as a Christian country. The leadership of Hungary shows great consideration for keeping Christian values foundational in the Hungarian state as it had been during King Saint Stephen’s reign and for more than a thousand years after it. An important role in this mission is being played by the State Secretariat for Churches, Minorities and Civil Affairs and personally by its head, Mr. Miklós Soltész,” said the ruling hierarch of the Diocese of Budapest and Hungary when presenting the award.

“I would like to congratulate you on your jubilee, wish you God’s aid in your work and thank you for everything you have done and for what you are doing for the good of the Hungarian state and for the benefit of religious communities and national minorities. I would like to thank you in particular on behalf of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Orthodox Diocese of Hungary for attention to its needs. You have a detailed knowledge about all that is happening in our diocese, such as restoration works at the Cathedral of the Dormition and at other church buildings or construction of new churches, and you provide real and important assistance to us,” Metropolitan Hilarion underscored.

In his response, Mr. Miklós Soltész said: “Thank you for this wonderful day and for this high award! His Holiness the Patriarch honored me with the award in connection with my birthday, but I say that awarded were our society, our Prime Minister, his fellow workers, and my assistants. This Cathedral has become so beautiful like other churches that are being constructed or restored through hard common work, which is necessary for keeping our Christian faith so that we could raise our children giving them rightful education and show to the whole world that Christianity is the only right way of life. The award with which I have been honored by His Holiness is a great privilege for me. I wish good health, fortitude and strength to the Patriarch, the Metropolitan, and the entire Orthodox community. Move forward bearing the banner of Christian faith so that it could reign in the centre of Europe for ever. Our goal is to re-Christianize Western Europe, and may the Lord help us in this endeavor!”