Yes
Ferenc Dávid (1520 - November 15, 1579) lived in Kolozsvár
and was a leading figure in the Hungarian reformation.
More: http://unitarius.lap.hu
vagy www.unitarius.hu
21) Who was the founder of the Unitarian Church?
The founder of the Unitarian Church was Francis David (Dávid Ferenc).
22) What do we know about the life of Francis David?
According to tradition, Francis David was born in Cluj (Kolozsvár) around 1510. He completed studies in Cluj (Kolozsvár), Alba Iulia (Gyulafehérvár) and Wittenberg (Germany). After he returned from his peregrinatio academica, he worked as school director and minister in Beszterce, Petres and Cluj (Kolozsvár).
23) To what purpose did Francis David devote his life?
The purpose to which Francis David devoted his life was the restoration of the pure Christianity of Jesus.
24) How did Francis David endeavor to realize this purpose for his life?
Francis David endeavored to realize this purpose for his life by preaching and spreading the pure Christianity of Jesus through the pulpit, debates and books.
Among Francis David's co-workers were: Gaspar Heltai, Istvan (Stephen) Basilius, Benedek (Benedict) Óvári, Miklos (Nicholas) Bogáti Fazekas and Giorgio (György, George) Blandrata.
25) How did the people of Transylvania accept the teaching of Francis David?
The greater part of the Hungarian people of Transylvania agreed with Francis David and along with King John Sigismund, became followers of the pure Christianity of Jesus, as it was taught by Francis David. This religion was named Unitarianism, from the doctrine of the unity of God.
The word "Unitarian" is of Latin origin (unus, unitas) and describes "believers in one God who profess the indivisible unity of God." The Unitarian name was first used in 1600 at the Diet of Lécfalva.
26) What was the most important result of the spread of the Unitarian Religion?
The most important result of the spreading of the Unitarian faith was the proclamation of religious freedom at the Diet of Torda in 1568. It was first declared to the world in Transylvania that everyone can exercise that religion which agrees with their understanding, because "faith is the gift of God".
We consider the founding of the Unitarian Church to date from the proclamation of this law.
The Diet of Marosvásárhely (Tg. Mureş) confirmed the law of religious freedom in 1571.
The decision of the Diet of Torda in 1568 states:
"Our Royal Highness, as he has decreed on matters of religion, together with the Diet, now confirms again that in every place the preachers shall preach and explain the Gospel, each according to his understanding of it, and if the congregation like it, then it shall be considered good; if not, no one shall compel them, for their soul would not be satisfied, but they shall be permitted to keep a preacher whose teaching they approve. Therefore none of the superintendents or others shall annoy or abuse the preachers on account of their religion, in accordance with the previous resolutions of the Diet, or allow any to be imprisoned or punished by removal from his post on account of his teachings, for faith is the gift of God; this gift comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God".
27) How long was Francis David able to serve the pure Christianity of Jesus?
Francis David served the pure Christianity of Jesus only until 1579, when the enemies of religious freedom sentenced him to prison for life as an innovator. They imprisoned him in Deva castle, where he died on November 15th 1579.
The site of Francis David's grave is unknown. At the place of his suffering, in one cell of the castle of Deva, a memorial column preserves his name and proclaims his life's work.
The first memorial was placed there in 1910 by our Church on the occasion of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Francis David's birth. The present memorial was placed in reverence by Unitarian believers in 1948. (note from Sandor Leta: this was destroyed by unknown people and a new plaque was placed there in 1997.)
28) What happened after Francis David's death?
Francis David's death was followed by a very difficult period in the history of our church. First religious intolerance and later political repression burdened our church. Instead of building, our ancestors were forced to gather all their strength for self-defense. In this hard struggle many of our churches and congregations were lost, as well as about three-quarters of our believers. Only the providence of God, the law of religious freedom and the heroic persistence of a portion of our believers saved the church from total destruction.