Jewish-Christian dialogue

A unique concert, titled “Dialogue” was held in the Dohány Street Synagogue in Budapest on Saturday evening. Psalms were performed in Jewish and Catholic Church musical interpretation, focusing on the dialogue between the two religions.

The church music event started with the speech of Cardinal, Primate Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. The Church leader underlined that this concert was meant to be a sort of emotional ‘getting in tune’ to the events of the International Eucharistic Congress. With regard to the meeting up of the concert venue and the Eucharistic Congress, the Cardinal emphasized the meaning of the word Eucharist, namely that it is the Eucharist that leads us to the Last Supper and the person of Jesus.

He also recalled that Jesus gave thanks when he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, thereby instituting the Holy Sacrament through the Gospels. This is the very thanksgiving, from which the Eucharist has got its name – he continued. Citing the Latin liturgy, the Archbishop highlighted that it perfectly preserved the originality of Jesus’ action: “Jesus thanked God and gave blessing.” “We are there in the hall of the Last Supper, where Jesus gives the blessing in line with the ancient tradition of the Passover dinner.” – summarized Cardinal, Primate Péter Erdő, reminding us that we are rather bound together than divided by the Eucharist. Listening to the Psalms “we perfectly understand having a common treasure, and that we are nourished by our common roots. Let our almighty Lord ensure it as a lifeblood resource for us today!” – the Church Leader closed his speech.

Róbert Frölich, Hungarian Chief Rabbi emphasized in his welcome speech that we, Jewish and Christians did a lot over the recent decades to tear down the dividing walls that had been severely burdened by a troublesome past. We all did our best to recognise each other as future friends and brothers in humanity, instead of being strangers.

As to the Chief Rabbi, this Saturday evening concert was a meeting of historical significance, a hope – as he said- that we return from our journeys and continue to live together, Jews and Christians, in great respect for each other, in fellow human understanding and in true brotherly love.

The concert was featured by László Fekete, Chief Cantor of the Synagogue, Péter Dobszay, first organist, Dániel Rudas cantor, as well as by András Virágh, conductor of the Great Synagogue, the Solti Chamber Orchestra, the ETUNAM mixed chorus and the Schola Cantorum Budapestiensis Albertfalva section.

András Heisler, President of the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities spoke about the interrelation between the Eucharistic Congress and the “Dialogue” concert. He pointed out that in Hungary there really exists a “sort of Jewish-Christian dialogue and cooperation.” He pinpointed the significance of the evening that participants of the Congress, including many Catholic Church dignitaries, were hosted in an emblematic site, in the largest Synagogue in Europe. “This will be a unique moment of grace” – said András Heisler prior to the concert evening.

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Photo: Marcsi Ambrus