(Károli Gáspár Református Egyetem Hittudományi Kar Egyháztörténeti Kutatóintézet, 2025) Bárány Zoltán; Hittudományi Doktori Iskola; KRE - Hittudományi Kar
This study presents a historical and theological analysis of Dr. Dezső Fónyad’s “prison Bible” and his prison correspondence during his unjust detention in 1945. A Reformed pastor and public intellectual, Fónyad was accused of war crimes without concrete evidence, becoming a victim of political persecution in the pre-communist era. Despite the ordeal, his annotated Bible and deeply personal letters reflect unwavering Christian faith and moral strength. These sources reveal his spiritual battles, concern for his family, and refusal to betray others under interrogation. His writings show a man enduring psychological and physical suffering, clinging to hope through Scripture and prayer. The prison notes demonstrate his Calvinist worldview and theological interpretation of suffering. Fónyad viewed his trial as a public spectacle and maintained that only divine justice could ultimately prevail. This paper contributes to the understanding of clerical persecution during Hungary’s postwar political transformation.