My story

Greek Catholic priest. Persecuted for his faith in Jesus Christ. Teacher, writer, and poet. In the past, Mons. Jozef Tóth was vice dean and co-founder of the Greek Catholic Theological Faculty.

I was born on 20 March 1925 in Haniska pri Košiciach. Like ancient Hebrew boys I was born without the help of any midwife.

I came to this world like a cosmonaut in the diving suit of my own body. I came here to see how things are and how I am. I came from the mystery to the mystery. I went round and I still go round this world, figuring out what happens inside me and outside me: I perceive, I receive, and I refuse - but I don't damn anyone.

I am full of wonder and disappointment, joy and suffering - I talk like other people. Like Job! All things I have are a gift for me. Life and its contents, time, and space. I see the most intimate connection in all these things. No matter when and where I was born. No matter what I said or wrote: everything was already uttered and written. I would like to be just a reminder for myself and for the others on the road to the kingdom of mystery.

Traces along my way: childhood and primary school (an excellent school!) in my native town of Haniska. Then, I studied in a lyceum in Košice. I spent eight years with my classmates. They are my brothers still today. I spent eight years with my professors. They are my professors still today. Back in the year 1946. I was mature.

People round me were surprised and me too, when I started my university studies at the Theological University in Košice. Two years later a "push from above" sent me to the Catholic Theological Faculty of Bratislava. A completely different scenario and completely different plans.Our country was stricken by a plague epidemic. As a consequence of this plague, I spent my non-school years from 1950 to 1954 in the black university of PTPs (military re-educational work camps held throughout communist Czechoslovakia). All things I have are a gift for me. I got my diploma from that university. They didn't release me any piece of paper. Who cares.

There was no place for me to walk in the surface. I went underground. I lived and admired the divine comedy of life! I was a miner of the soul. During systematic emptying of the world I realized that I was full of strength and beauty. So I donated it to people. For long time.

In 1989 they erected plague pillars all over the country. Cholera was over. Not completely. We were now able to walk in the surface. No more silly words and trumpets.

In 1990 I was back in my youth years. I changed out of my diving suit. I spoke to young theologians and non-theologians about God's ways. I wish they all understood. I know they will! I wish I could go back to the mystery of the final act with the same heart I had when I first came to this world. Maranatha. Amen.

I have lived in a religious environment: family, the convent of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, chaplains, theatres, academies, and – above all – the poetry of this world, of nature as God’s project and life according to this project.

In 1944 I joined up the forces of the Military Work Camp. Four students (incl. myself) were threatened of capital punishment for reportedly keeping contacts with the Partisans. We fled to the mountains. Then we ended up in Romanian captivity. We escaped from that prison as well.

Let's go back to the most important matter: my creed is based on the Scriptures, on announced Word, and education. I am always repeating this with irreversible and proved certainty. Christianity is not only a religion, but it is an optimal anthropological project for human life, under all points of view.

It is the easiest, shortest, and most intelligent project in only two sentences: Love God and your neighbour like yourself; love even your enemies and those who hate and persecute you! It is the constitution of love. The whole universe, the earth and mankind were created according to it. All systems (economical, philosophical, social, family, international, etc.) will fail, if they are not based on this project. If this fundamental basis will not be observed, this world will know even more sorrow, suffering, and misery.

That's why I do agree with Chesterton.

Christianity didn't start to live yet, though it has enough strength to set the whole modern world on fire. We are the disciples of the Nazarene. We are here to light this fire. Church evangelization is not enough. Together with my other brothers I wasn't only a "voice crying out in the desert", but a voice in an anthill of evil and devilish things where the light of Christ's Gospel was seen. The prophets of the Old Testament brilliantly contributed to the overture of what we call humanity and democracy, pure art, true human rights. They were men of God - Roe - (the people who see), poets, moralists, and humanists.

I am continuing the work of these peoples, empowered by Christ. In Christ the redemption reached the highest point (leaving the hell, towards purification and then higher and higher). Christianity is poetry and symphony of the Good, Truth, and Beauty. This was and it is my homeland in bad and good times! You are creating this work together with me. You, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Your brother - Jozef