A mighty fortress
This week, I had the opportunity to hear a series of lectures from one of the Lutheran bishops of Hungary, Bishop Dr. Tamás Fabiny. When he began his talks, Bishop Fabiny shared that when one Hungarian Lutheran sees another Hungarian Lutheran, they say to one another, “Erős vár a mi Istenünk!” And the other replies with the same, “Erős vár a mi Istenünk!”
Now, for those among us who do not speak Hungarian, what they say to one another is not, “Happy day to you!” or even “This is the day the Lord has made!” No, they say, “A Mighty Fortress is our God!” It’s the first line of a hymn penned by Martin Luther. In that eastern European country, Lutherans do not just sing those words in Church. They are spoken as greetings, but they also begin worship and church meetings. They are written across the doorways of churches.
After attempting to teach us how to say “Erős vár a mi Istenünk,” Bishop Fabiny taught us a brief the history of Hungarian Lutheranism. It’s a story of holding onto faith through decades of persecution and dictatorships. In the 20th century, Hungary lived under decades of occupation by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Through it all, those people of faith held onto the truth found in that greeting: Erős vár a mi Istenünk! A mighty fortress is our God.
Many of us are familiar with the witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others who stood up to Nazi aggression in Germany, but the courageous solidarity of Hungarian Lutheran Christians
was new to me. Bishop Fabiny told about pastors who were killed and imprisoned for protecting their Jewish neighbors. He described how parishioners and leaders held onto the truth of Jesus’ teachings even as dictators twisted scripture to serve their own political ends. Others found safety in church basements during bombings and battles. People of faith found both literal and figurative sanctuary in those words: Erős vár a mi Istenünk. 
Luther’s words were inspired by Psalm 46 which begins, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” For Lutheran Hungarians, the words “Erős vár a mi Istenünk” are not just a greeting. They are a confession of faith. Throughout the 20th century and to this very day, speaking those words to one another names their identity. It’s a declaration of trust that, even during trouble, God remains steadfast and provides needed support.
The testimony of our Lutheran Christian siblings across the world can teach us what it means to find our strength in faith and community. No matter what we face, the truth of that greeting can be our hope and courage. A Mighty Fortress is our God! Erős vár a mi Istenünk.
Connie King
Listened to the hymn–Wow! What an amazing testament to faith.