In Europe, experience shows that fewer and fewer Christians are sitting in the pews, so the parish and the University of Debrecen Doctoral Student Association Kiss Árpád are conducting a comprehensive survey of the habits of people attending church services.
“We think it’s important to ask people what they think about us, our congregation, our services, and perhaps about the sermons that are preached in these congregations,” Pastor András Beszterczey said at a press conference on the 2023 congregational and cultural programs of the Reformed Great Church.
More than 20 years ago, the Reformed Great Church was opened to the public. The church’s community-building role extends beyond the worship service.
“The city of Debrecen and the life of the Reformed Great Church have been intertwined over the centuries. These values are very important, which we represent together here in the city because Debrecen is a developing city, and this development is also due to the fact that the Reformed Great Church has been here for centuries,” Pastor István Oláh pointed out.
The Reformed Great Church is the most prominent symbol of Debrecen – tourists coming here are sure to visit this building. Nearly 40,000 tourists visit the Reformed Great Church every year. The city is trying to present this sacred space as a tourist attraction, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen Diána Széles.
She stressed that the city council decided that the municipality would operate the “glass pyramid” next to the Reformed Great Church in the future.
In and around this facility, exhibitions and programs on the history of the town and the church will be organized.
According to Diána Széles, the city’s traditions should be presented in a setting and as a tourist asset that distinguishes it from others. The Reformed Great Church is to be thanked for supporting the city’s tourism efforts.
This year, a number of programs are waiting for you in the Reformed Great Church. For example, the Reformed Great Church Arts Salon is about to begin that will include solo performances by theatre artists throughout the year, Head of Communications and Tourism of the Reformed Great Church Zita Dobos said.
