As part of the jubilee programme marking the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Saint George, the 32nd Dr. István Bárdos Summer University was held in Visegrád. For more than three decades, this event has been one of the Order's most significant academic and community gatherings.
Each year, the Summer University provides a forum where historians, archaeologists, art historians, church representatives and researchers present their latest findings, contributing to the authentic understanding and preservation of our shared historical and cultural heritage.
It was a particular honour for the Grand Priory of Southern Transylvania that Knight Tamás Sashalmi-Fekete, historian, represented our community as an invited speaker in the academic programme of this jubilee event.
The Veneration of Saint George in Szekler Land and the Royal Lands
In his lecture entitled "The Veneration of Saint George in Szekler Land and the Royal Lands", he first outlined the historical framework of the two regions that enjoyed a distinctive legal status within the medieval Kingdom of Hungary: Székely Land and the Saxon-inhabited Royal Lands. He then presented the rich historical evidence reflecting the cult of Saint George across these territories.
The audience gained a comprehensive overview of how the veneration of Saint George has been preserved through place names, church dedications, personal names and remarkable works of medieval art. Particular attention was devoted to the 14th- and 15th-century wall paintings, winged altarpieces and medieval stove tiles that remain outstanding testimonies to the cult of the warrior saint.
Supported by medieval maps, high-resolution photographs and reconstruction drawings, the illustrated presentation guided participants through a fascinating journey across history and art history.
Among the sites presented were the artistic treasures of Szekler Land, including Imper, Giula, Dăișeni, Sâncel, Lăzarea, Csekefalva and Cristuru Secuiesc, as well as important monuments of the Royal Lands such as the fortified church of Roadeș, the Church on the Hill in Sighișoara, and the churches of Alma and Mălâncrav. Special attention was given to the iconographic features of Saint George depictions and the various dragon motifs found throughout the region, illustrating the rich symbolism of medieval Christian art.
Scholarship and the Knightly Mission
For the Order of Saint George, preserving historical heritage is far more than recalling the past—it is a living mission. Scholarly research, the discovery of cultural treasures and their faithful transmission are as much a part of knightly service as community building and charitable work.
We are especially proud that members of our Grand Priory are not only participants but also active contributors to the Order's most significant academic events. Knight Tamás Sashalmi-Fekete's lecture is an excellent example of how historical scholarship, art historical research and the knightly vocation can enrich one another.
The 32nd Dr. István Bárdos Summer University once again demonstrated that the knightly ideal today is not only about preserving traditions, but also about passing on knowledge, nurturing historical memory and responsibly safeguarding our shared cultural heritage.