News

October24, 2025

Author: Vitéz Gábor Hegyi de Agyagfalva

On the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the Hungarian National Holiday, the Consulate General held a reception where participants together recalled the events of the 1956 revolution and fight of independence. After the ceremonial speech by Consul General István Bebes, State Secretary Dr. Miklós Dukai followed, who in his address stated that even today, in 2025, we must follow in the footsteps of the heroes of ’56 and do everything for the independence and freedom of our homeland and nation.

During the evening, András Mátyus was awarded the Gold Hungarian Cross of Merit, followed by a concert featuring Beáta Gincsai on piano and Péter Horváth, tárogató artist. The event concluded with a standing reception. The Order of Vitéz was represented Chief Censor Councillor and Staff Captain Vitéz Gábor Hegyi de Agyagfalva.

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October 22, 2025

Author: Vitéz Prince Philipp Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg

Under the leadership of H.S.H. Vitéz Prince Philipp Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Staff Captain of the German Region, the guests had the privilege of experiencing a most interesting and dignified program in Aachen on October 11, 2025.

The day began with a joint luncheon at the venerable Aachener Brauhaus, where lively conversations and a spirit of camaraderie quickly emerged. Afterwards, the group proceeded to Aachen Cathedral, where H.S.H. Vitéz Prince Philipp Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg delivered an address at the statue of Saint Stephen of Hungary. Following the speech, a memorial wreath was laid in honor of the Hungarian king.

At 2:00 p.m., a professionally guided tour of the over 1,200-year-old Aachen Cathedral — the episcopal church of the Diocese of Aachen — began, including a visit to the sacred relics and the world-famous Cathedral Treasury.

The solemn highlight of the afternoon was a moving Holy Mass celebrated by Father József Lukács in the Hungarian Chapel of Aachen Cathedral. This chapel was founded in 1367 by King Louis of Hungary and houses statues of Saint Stephen of Hungary, Saint Emeric of Hungary, and Saint Louis I of Hungary. For 700 years, it has been a destination of Hungarian pilgrimages and a place of veneration for Emperor and Saint Charlemagne.

The Mass was accompanied musically under the direction of Vitéz Nob. Gábor Hegyi de Agyagfalva, Staff Captain and Chief Censor.

Among the participants were, among others, Vitéz Levente Hortobagyi, Seat Captain of the Swiss Region; Dr. Vitéz Nob. Ferenc Szentgallay van Nie, Seat Captain of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg Region; as well as Vitéz Josef Lang, Lieutenant of the Munich Region; H.S.H. Vitéz Princess Anne zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg; and members of the regional nobility association, including Tilla Baroness von der Goltz from Cologne and Marguerite and Helen von Zitzewitz from Aachen.

The day concluded with a festive gala dinner at the Hotel Innside by Meliá, where, in a convivial and warm atmosphere, the experiences of the day were joyfully reflected upon.

H.S.H. Vitéz Prince Philipp Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg said:

“My thoughts still linger in Aachen — the deep and enduring connection that the city of Aachen has shared with Hungary through the centuries is truly remarkable. To me, the Hungarian Chapel reflects the friendship and mutual affection that have bound the two nations together for a thousand years.”

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October 17, 2025

At the invitation of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary, Dr. Péter Györkös, H.S.H. Vitéz Prince Philipp Ernst of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Staff Captain of the Region of Germany, attended the solemn reception held at the Embassy of Hungary in Berlin on the occasion of the Hungarian National Day.

In the light-filled reception hall of the embassy, festively decorated and filled with the special atmosphere of Hungarian hospitality, numerous guests from the worlds of diplomacy, politics, and the military gathered. Among them were members of the diplomatic corps, members of the German Bundestag, and foreign military officers stationed in Germany.

Following the welcoming remarks, Dr. Györkös delivered an impressive speech recalling the heroic events of the Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956, which remain for the Hungarian people a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and an unyielding desire for freedom.

On behalf of the State of Baden-Württemberg, warm congratulations were extended to the Hungarian people, emphasizing the close friendship between both countries.

The reception was accompanied by a Hungarian choir, whose moving performances deeply touched the audience. The festive event concluded with a buffet of exquisite Hungarian dishes, showcasing the country’s rich cultural and culinary traditions.

H.S.H. Prince Philipp Ernst of Hohenlohe-Langenburg attended the celebration as the representative of the Region of Germany with great respect and personal commitment. His presence was warmly appreciated by both hosts and guests, adding to the dignity and significance of the occasion.

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October 2, 2025

Author: Sandro Baricevic

Sandro Baricevic, an international expert in Orders of Chivalry and awarding systems; Commissioner of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (ICOC) has published an article with the title “105 Years of the Enduring Legacy of the Order of Vitéz: A Distinction Beyond Chivalry” The article is available at:

https://theinvestiture.substack.com/p/105-years-of-the-enduring-legacy

2025 marks the 105th anniversary of the Order of Vitéz, a Hungarian institution established in 1920 under Regent Miklós Horthy to honor acts of bravery and service to the nation.

Founded in the wake of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the Order became a symbol of national pride and resilience. Its first council meeting was held on September 25, 1920, in the Matthias Hall of Buda Castle, and the first investiture ceremony followed in May 1921.

Members of the Order were recognized with the hereditary title of Vitéz, meaning “valiant” or “hero,” often accompanied by land grants. The honor quickly became a cornerstone of Hungarian cultural and military life between the two world wars, with many distinguished figures counted among its ranks.

After World War II, the communist regime dissolved the Order in 1948, forcing its survival into exile. Recognition by the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry in 1962 affirmed its legitimacy under the leadership of the Habsburg-Lorraine family. Today, Archduke Josef Karl of Habsburg-Lorraine serves as Captain General, continuing the Order’s legacy.

Despite political changes and internal challenges, the Order of Vitéz remains active, focusing on preserving Hungarian heritage, national identity, and charitable efforts. Its hereditary structure ensures that the honor continues to be passed down through generations.

As Hungary commemorates this milestone, the Order of Vitéz endures as both a reminder of the nation’s turbulent past and a symbol of its enduring values of honor, service, and resilience.

October 2, 2025

Author: Vitéz Attila István Szakál, Seat Captain of Partium Region

On September 12, 2025, the Order of Vitéz’s Seat Captaincy of Partium Region organized a book launch in Nagyvárad (Oradea), in the lecture hall of the Lorántffy Zsuzsanna Reformed Center.

The latest book by Vitéz Attila Bánó, Historian Staff Captain, is titled “Northern Transylvania Returned Home, 1940.” (Észak-Erdély Hazatért, 1940)

The book presents the re-entry into Northern Transylvania following the Second Vienna Award, both through text and nearly 500 period photographs in color and black-and-white.

In the autumn of 1940, when the German-Italian arbitration decision through the Second Vienna Award, returned Northern Transylvania to Hungary, the Hungarians living there greeted Regent Miklós Horthy and the Royal Hungarian Army with boundless joy, enthusiasm, cascades of flowers, and triumphal arches.

The archival photographs in Attila Bánó’s book vividly reflect the happiness felt by our compatriots in those days and during the following years.

Participants at the book launch included: Vitéz Attila Bánó, Historian Staff Captain and author of the book; Attila Zoltán Kovács, publisher of the book and director and owner of Erdélyi Szalon Publisher; and Attila István Szakál, Seat Captain of Partium Region and organizer of the event.

As guest of honor, Bishop László Tőkés graced the event with his presence, further elevating the prestige of the launch.