The President Andrej Kiska thanked to the representatives of the churches for all activities, which gave people a lift to do a good acts in the last year. „I wish to you personally, but also to all people who you stand in and represent, in New Year 2017 health, strength and courage. I wish you an ability to give a helping hand and express a right word in right time. The word, which bring back hope to the people. The word, which can soothe grief.“ To the question related to extremism he said: „I assume, that you have the same concern, how for the God, for the nation, for the Christian values and alleged protection of roots and values of our civilization are hidden shoots of dangerous evil. Unfortunately, also roots of fascism, neo-Nazism, contempt by people of different belief, race, nationality or different opinion.“
The General Bishop in his speech said: „Dear Mr. President, I can not and I do not want to forget on such an important reality, that in this year 2017 we, evangelical members in the whole world and also in Slovakia, are celebrating 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which started by Martin Luther and have brought a lot of positive into life of church and society. The ECAC in Slovakia have already started with the celebration, which will climax on the day of the Reformation, 31st October 2017, here in Bratislava. The activities which are prepared have mainly supported our Christian identity. Maturity of a nation has shown by the maturity of its culture. The society, which is able to honour not only traditions and culture heritage, but as well to honour and follow the ancestor´s faith, have the chance to develop, extend and wisely handle with values, which inherited. We have been preparing the celebration of the 200th anniversary of birth Jozef Ľudovít Miloslav Hurban, he was an evangelical pastor, writer, and a leader of the Slovak National Council and the Slovak Uprising in 1848/1849.”
Photos: www.prezident.sk
