Abstract: Archbishop of Esztergom and Cardinal Alexander Rudnay (1760 – 1831) achieved a successful church career not only thanks to his theological erudition, language and diplomatic skills, synodal as well as philanthropic activities, but also through his sermons. The English translation and analysis of his first sermon conceived in four languages (Latin, German, Slovak, Hungarian) and published in 1833 in an edition of his 82 sermons collected from 1778 to 1805 under the title „Kázne prihodné...“ points to the development of Rudnay’s personality, vision and faith or the multi-ethnic character of modern Hungary. The central theme of the sermon was the miraculous act of Jesus Christ, when the hungry people who followed him for three days were fed by the multiplication of the seven loaves of bread. The text does not lack references to the Book of Exodus, the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, the Book of Psalms, the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Matthew and the Letters of St. Paul. Choice of the central theme, examples and arguments used, adherence to scholastic principles, emotional colouring, realization of own individual, warning against materialism and the importance of spiritual values, and the challenge not to sin again must have had a sophisticated and systematic effect on the recipient at the time and testify to Rudnay’s conscientiousness and dexterity already at a young age.

Authors: Jablonský, Dávid

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2022.15.2.90-105

Publication order reference: Mgr. Dávid Jablonský, PhD.; University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Department of Historical Sciences and Central European Studies, Námestie J. Herdu 2, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9535-3682, Scopus Autor ID: 57194618425

Source: Konštatínove listy, 2022, vol.: 15, issue: 2, pages: 90-105 (PDF file)

Keywords: ALEXANDER RUDNAY, HOMILY, SERMON, HUNGARY, 18TH CENTURY, 19TH CENTURY, CATHOLICISM

Language: ENGLISH

Recommended Citation:
Jablonský, Dávid. 2022. Alexander Rudnay and His Sermon Presented at the Seminar of St. Stephen in Trnava on July 19, 1778. In Konštantínove listy [Constantine’s Letters] 15/2, 90-105.