Cultic honours to Saint László (Saint Ladislaus) in the Hungarian Army. Thoughts on the Poor Cultic Honours to Branch Patron Saints

Abstract

Every July, in Letkés and Ipolyszalka (Slovakia) – relating to King St. László festivals –- the Comrade Union of Hungarian Parachutists St. László Division commemorates Hungarian soldiers who served in the Division in the last months of WWII. The Division had nothing to do Waffen-SS nor with the armed corps of Hungarist Movement. It was a part of the Royal Hungarian Defence Forces, which still kept some tradition. King László, comparing to other supporter or branch patron saints, was a decisive hero to Hungarian soldiers until WWII and establishing the Soviet type bolshevik regime in Hungary. Although, after the change of political system, St. László was again considered to be ‘the patron saint of riflemen’, from time to time he is commemorated with Mass or a concert, his influence remains far behind the period before WW II. In this study we are trying get answers, why the cult of St. László’s – and other branch patron saints – has not developed in the Hungarian Defence Forces since the change of political system, although the legislative environment makes it possible. We would
like to reveal those deeper historical and the history of ideas correspondence that proves that not only leftist ideology, and its extreme Bolshevik form, but the ideology of liberal democracy cannot identify with St. László’s – and other patron saints’ – figure. We are pointing out that in the current ideological milieu there are insufficient grounds for the branch patron saints, besides ceremonial activities, to become awarenessraising power. To achieve this power, there should be a change, which would go against those ideas that gradually became overwhelming after the French Revolution. It is not judgement, but a hypothesis which is formulated so that we can reflect the phenomenon authentically. So do we formulate that democratic legislation has reached its maximum with allowing cult and religious freedom in the Hungarian Defence Forces. As numerous works have been written about St. László’s life, his cultic honours, his role in tradition and arts, we touch upon his historic and art introduction, when it servesproving the assumption.