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In congregational life, pastors often face situations where conflict creates a deep divide between members of the community. This paper explores how a deeper understanding and resolution of such situations can be facilitated by tools drawn from systematic theology, attachment theory, contextual pastoral care, and the methodology of motivational interviewing. The theological foundations—especially the doctrines of the incarnation, atonement, and the relational model of the Trinity—reveal how the realities of sin and redemption shape human relational dynamics. Attachment theory helps uncover how childhood attachment patterns influence adult conflict resolution responses. Within the framework of contextual pastoral care, the tension between constructive and destructive entitlement, as well as the dynamics of forgiveness and exoneration, prove essential for identifying underlying, often unconscious relational burdens.

This thesis examines the life and work of Gerő Szász, a Reformed pastor, editor, and poet, who was a significant yet today little-known figure in the Protestant ecclesiastical and intellectual life of 19th-century Transylvania. The aim of the research is to shed new light on this multifaceted personality through the study of his preserved manuscripts, sermons, funeral orations, letters, and journalistic writings, and to interpret his role within and beyond the church in the public and social processes of his time. Particular attention is given to Szász's public conflicts, editorial work (especially with Protestáns Közlöny), literary contributions, and his involvement in the relocation of the Theological Faculty to Cluj (Kolozsvár). His activity reflects a church and societal vision grounded in the close interweaving of faith, national identity, and freedom.

This thesis aims to conduct an interdenominational examination of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, using the Reformed doctrine as the primary point of reference. The study analyzes the teachings and practices of seven Christian denominations – Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Baptist, and Seventh-day Adventist – seeking to identify similarities and differences in comparison with the Reformed tradition. After presenting each denomination, a separate section addresses the theological contrasts and parallels with Reformed theology. The analysis focuses on theological and liturgical aspects of the Lord’s Supper, with particular attention to views on the presence of Christ, the efficacy of the sacrament, its role within the church community, and its relation to personal faith. The aim of the study is not to promote ecumenical dialogue, but rather to offer an objective and systematic overview of denominational distinctives in the light of Reformed teaching

Our thesis examines the discourse of the Apostolic Fathers concerning the death of Jesus Christ from both linguistic-stylistic and theological perspectives. Special attention is given to the rhetorical structure, conceptual vocabulary, and historical-contextual background of the texts. The thesis does not aim to formulate dogmatic conclusions but rather to explore how the event of Jesus Christ’s death is represented in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, particularly in terms of temporal designation, soteriological interpretation, and rhetorical emphasis. The study offers a detailed analysis of key passages from Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna, as well as from the Epistle of Barnabas and The Shepherd of Hermas. Furthermore, it addresses the testimony found in the Epistle to Diognetus and eucharistic passages. The research is based on a comparative exegesis of the texts in their Hungarian and Greek versions.

The thesis includes and analyzes the conscriptions of five congregations: Csittszentiván, Mezőbergenye, Mezőpanit, Harcó, and Mezőbánd. These conscriptions date back to 1687 and originate from the oldest matricula of the Reformed Church District of Maros. The matricula is rich in data, providing detailed information about the congregations' movable and immovable assets, donations, and social conditions. Initially, the thesis presents an overview of the Reformed Church District of Maros, with particular attention to its historical context, the Reformation, and the characteristics of the period in question. This is followed by brief historical descriptions of the five congregations. During the analysis of the conscriptions, special attention is given to church property elements such as communion vessels, textiles, books, lands, and buildings.

The aim of my thesis is to present and analyse in detail the 1687 conscriptions of five congregations in the Maros Reformed Church District, namely: Csejd, Kebeleszentiván, Jedd, Koronka, and Marosszentkirály. The primary source of my research is one of the oldest surviving matriculas of the Maros district, which provides valuable insight into the life and financial circumstances of the congregations in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the first part of the thesis, I offer a brief historical overview of the formation of the church district, followed by a concise history of the five settlements concerned. Based on the conscriptions, I then carry out a detailed analysis of the congregations’ movable assets (e.g., communion vessels, textiles, books) and immovable property (e.g., landholdings, pastors’ and teachers’ residences), as well as the role and types of donations.

In my thesis, I examine the current state of the institution of marriage and family from a practical theological perspective, with special attention to the marriage and family counseling service operated by the Bonus Pastor Foundation. I seek to answer the question of to what extent the CSAKIS camp model can be applied within an expanded, church-level marriage and family counseling ministry. The practical part is preceded by a detailed theoretical foundation, presenting the Christian understanding of marriage and family. The theoretical section traces human life from the moment of choosing a partner, through marriage, and up to family life, with particular emphasis on parental roles. The research thus investigates the program and effectiveness of the CSAKIS camp through the evaluation of questionnaires, which serves as the basis for drawing conclusions regarding the applicability of the model.

The title of my thesis is "Our Losses. Losses and Their Processing." My thesis focuses on the concept of loss and the process of coping with it, with particular emphasis on comparing two main types of losses: material losses and the loss of living persons. The aim of this work is to explore what grief truly means, what types exist, and how grief affects individuals both psychologically and socially. I also address the topic of death and mourning from a theological perspective. The thesis highlights that grief is not exclusively associated with death, but can also be linked to other kinds of losses. In comparing these two types, I examine similarities and differences such as the intensity of emotional reactions, the duration of the grieving process, and the role of societal attitudes. In conclusion, I have found that although everyone grieves, we do not do so in the same way or within the same timeframe.

What is the Reformed prayer, and how does it look like? In my opinion, every Reformed believer should ask themselves this question sometimes, but they can not find an answer. However, we have Confessions, and so there is some guidance, but not a clear model by which we can put the theology of prayer into practice. This thesis aims to fill this gap. If we try to discover something about Reformed spirituality, we need to start from John Calvin, and the confessions of our Church. To see a clearer picture, I studied all the confessions that were available for me, from the Irish Confession and the Hungarian confession from Debrecen-Egervölgy to the two Westminster Catechisms. Most of them have a theological perception about prayer and this is what we can put into practice in our everyday spirituality.

People with disabilities are beloved children of God, created in the image of God. It is from this belief that the following thesis was born, which by exploring theoretical and practical approaches to pastoral care for people with special educational needs (SEN), aims to help pastors who have been called to accompany people with disabilities. The first two major chapters of the thesis discuss, among other things, the definition, models and types of SEN, the situation of people with SEN in society and in the church, and the concept, directions, and objectives of pastoral care. The paper will then devote a separate chapter to the specificities of pastoral care for people with disabilities. The theoretical groundwork is followed by the practical part of the research: an analysis of in-depth interviews with pastoral care workers who have experience in providing pastoral care to people with disabilities.

This thesis explores the ethical dimensions of sexuality and the question of gender identity, with a particular focus on the perception and treatment of homosexuality in both religious and societal contexts. Through an interdisciplinary approach – combining theology, ethics, law, psychology, and sociology – the research investigates how social, political, and ecclesiastical perspectives on homosexuality have evolved. Special attention is given to Christian denominations, especially the Unitarian Church, and the various interpretations of biblical texts related to same-sex relationships. The study draws on hermeneutical analysis, discourse analysis, and the examination of case studies such as church statements and Romanian legislative developments. By reflecting on historical, legal, and theological narratives, the thesis highlights how attitudes toward homosexuality are shaped not by fixed moral laws or biological facts, but by shifting cultural paradigms and institutional powers.

This study investigates the concept of humility (ʿānāw) as a religious virtue in the Old Testament, analyzing its linguistic, theological, and ethical dimensions. The Hebrew term ʿānāw, far from denoting weakness, reflects a spiritual disposition that shapes human relationships with God, others, and self. Through a comprehensive exegetical and theological framework, the thesis explores humility across prophetic, wisdom, and historical literature, with particular focus on the figures of Joseph, Moses, and David. Their narratives illustrate humility as a moral strength in leadership, divine calling, and repentance. The research applies historical-critical, narrative, and comparative methods, engaging key scholarly voices such as Gerhard von Rad, Walter Brueggemann, and Christopher J. H. Wright. The analysis highlights the dual character of humility: it is both a personal moral stance and a communal ethical imperative.

This thesis investigates the paraliturgical practices associated with funerals in selected congregations of the Maros Reformed Church County. These customs, though situated outside the framework of the official funeral liturgy, nevertheless bear significant religious meaning—manifesting in practices such as night vigils, various forms of farewell, and communal support for the bereaved. The study examines both their theological and practical dimensions: how these practices are embodied in congregational life, how they interact with the Reformed funeral tradition, and what role they play within the grieving process. The overarching aim of the thesis is to enrich the understanding of Reformed ecclesiastical practice and tradition, with particular attention to perspectives on death and dying.

This thesis explores the concept of the immortality of the soul within the framework of Unitarian theology, integrating philosophical, theological, and contemporary scientific perspectives. Drawing upon both classical philosophical traditions and Christian theological reflections, the study investigates how the belief in the soul’s continuity after death has evolved and how it is interpreted today, particularly within Unitarian religious thought. The dissertation adopts an interdisciplinary and hermeneutical approach, with a particular emphasis on the existential and ethical implications of the doctrine of immortality. Rooted in the dignity of human reason and moral development, Unitarian theology emphasizes a rational faith dialogue over rigid dogma. The research highlights how this theological tradition addresses the question of immortality not merely as a metaphysical hypothesis but as a deeply human concern shaped by grief, hope, and the longing for transcendence.

The aim of this thesis is to present the history of the Reformed Church of Magyaró between 1820 and 1921. The research examines the religious, social and institutional life of the congregation based on archival sources, registry data and local traditions. Special attention is given to the parish's real estate and asset management, the condition of the church, school, rectory and mill, and the community significance of their maintenance. The development of religious life was shaped by the ministry of pastors, the order of worship, episcopal visitations and education. The thesis provides a detailed picture of the demographic changes in the congregation, the challenges caused by epidemics and wars, and the historical background of community self-organisation and identity preservation. The research highlights how the Reformed community in Magyaró preserved its faith and institutional independence in the changing political and social environment of Transylvania.

In my thesis, I examine funeral practices in nine Reformed congregations of Kalotaszeg, focusing on paraliturgical elements and their communal role. The topic is relevant from both ethnographic and theological perspectives, as it reveals living traditions of the congregations, shows how acts of diaconal service are expressed, and highlights local attitudes toward death and mourning. The research, based on questionnaires, explores the theological, cultural, and practical aspects of funeral customs, analyzing how these rites take shape in practice and how they involve grieving families, relatives, neighbors, church officials, and congregation members. My findings show that traditional community-based practices once centered around the family home have gradually been replaced by more formal and simplified customs, a process accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of chapels.

This thesis highlights that the life of the Reformed Church of Uzon in the 18th century was far from free of difficulties. The community was struck by fires and wars, while internal tensions and conflicts (such as disputes over the seating order in church) also undermined its cohesion. A deeper understanding is provided through the study of the history of the Sepsi Church District, primarily on the basis of the works of Kolumbán, Tóth, Pokoly, and Juhász. The thesis also examines the movable and immovable property of the congregation, relying chiefly on the Annotamenta Ecclesiae Uzoniensis Reformatorum (1648–1717) and the Liber Ecclesiae, which continues up to 1744. Further important sources include the studies of Árpád Csáki, the description of the church by Kinga Tüdős, and data provided by Barna-András Ungvári, the current pastor. As part of the research, document-value records preserved exclusively in the parish archives have been digitized.

The ethical discourse about euthanasia is a rather controversial topic, recent lowering of age requirements just made it more relevant. This study aims to present the reader with the contemporary legislations and practical methods about different forms of euthanasia concerning minors. As a reformed christian, it is alarming to watch, how the legislations about euthanasia are becoming more and more accepted, defined and upgraded in recent years. The latest update happened just last year, in 2024, when the Netherlands gave green light to the practice of euthanising children aged between 1 and 12 years. Even though the authorities and several physicians are involved in the process, and they claim that it is a well documented and safe practice, many feel that they have crossed a dangerous border.

The dissertation focuses on the old textiles of Unitarian churches that came into the possession of the parishes from the 1600s to the mid-1800s. Drawing on 17th to 19th-century archival sources, including bishop's and dean's visitation records and parish inventory books, this thesis reconstructs the material heritage of Unitarian congregations and traces the evolution of their collections. Furthermore, the surviving textiles offer insights into congregational customs, particularly donation practices and the piety and representational needs of church members. Despite their significance, the material heritage of Unitarian congregations, especially their textiles, has received scant scholarly attention over the centuries. This dissertation aims to address this lacuna by comprehensively surveying the textile holdings of Unitarian congregations, compiling a dedicated catalogue, and analyzing relevant archival sources.

My thesis contains a repertory of the Evangélikus Élet, an Evangelical Lutheran church journal, as well as a pre-study that introduces the Transylvanian Hungarian press of the period, the Transylvanian Hungarian church press, and the most important authors and sections of the journal. The repertory includes the table of contents, the author index, and the textarium of the issues published between 1935 and 1942. My goal was to create an accurate database to assist historians and researchers of church history. At the same time, it aims to introduce this lesser-known yet valuable publication of the Romanian Evangelical Lutheran Church to interested readers. Through my research, I hope to contribute to the promotion of Transylvanian Protestant press, especially Evangelical press, as the journal, although written almost a century ago, contains writings that are still relevant for today’s pastors and congregations.

My thesis is based on the exploration of a lesser-studied aspect of 18th-century Transylvanian protestant church history: it examines, trough an interdisciplinary approach, the inscriptions found on elements of protestant sacred space furnishings – particularly on pulpit canopies. The analysis of the selected corpus is guided by the hypothesis that these inscriptions are functional in nature, shedding light on the liturgical role of the given object while also conveying messages to the congregation. The subject of the study includes works whose iconographic program, inscriptions, or patronal background are considered distinctive. Naturally, several technical limitations – such as later overpainting and a lack of documentary sources – posed significant challenges to the research. Nevertheless, it was still possible to work with sufficiently relevant information.

Abortion is a subject of serious legal, political and ethical debate in today's society. In this debate, the value and dignity of the life that begins, the right of the mother to self-determination over her own body, the right to life of the unborn foetus, or the responsibility of the relatives and the doctor performing the abortion are all called into question. The clash of views and positions conspicuously omits any consideration of ecclesiastical or theological perspectives. It is from this situation that I formulated the main question of my research: do Christian ethics provide up-to-date answers to the abortion question today? What is the current position of Protestant and Roman Catholic ethics on the abortion issue? This question predicts that the positions of the two denominations differ on certain sub-issues. In my thesis, I juxtapose official church statements and encyclicals in search of identical and divergent views on the abortion issue.

This thesis explores how Christian mission can maintain its credibility amid the social, cultural, and technological challenges of the 21st century. Religious pluralism, globalization, secularization, and the rise of digital communication have radically transformed the frameworks through which the Christian message is conveyed. The church can no longer assume inherent authority; it must rethink its mission, language, and forms of engagement. The study analyzes the historical and theological development of mission concepts, drawing on the paradigm shift theories of Thomas S. Kuhn and David J. Bosch. According to the Missio Dei perspective, mission is God’s sending to the world, in which the church participates. The thesis examines key stages of mission history, postmodern identity dynamics, shifts in global Christianity, forms of digital mission, and contextual and liberation theology approaches.

The aim of this thesis is to explore how the information society and digitalization are transforming church life, with a particular focus on new forms of community organization and communication. The research is situated at the intersection of the sociology of religion and media studies, examining the characteristics of network society, generational media use, and ecclesiastical responses to technological change. Special attention is given to online religious identity, the digitalization of religious practices, and the rise of virtual communities. Through literature analysis and the presentation of practical examples, the thesis investigates how churches can create an authentic, community-shaping presence in the digital space. The purpose of this work is also to lay the foundation for my own ministerial vocation in an era where offline and online communities are increasingly intertwined, and where new missional opportunities are emerging for churches.

This thesis examines the unitarian liturgical treasures displayed in the exhibition opened in 2018 at the House of Religious Freedom in Cluj-Napoca, with a particular focus on their historical background. The research analyzes sixty-five communion vessels originating from twenty-nine Unitarian congregations and is based primarily on episcopal and deanery visitation records, as well as other manuscript church sources. These documents make it possible to identify the earliest references to the objects, trace their acquisition by individual congregations, and reconstruct the circumstances under which they entered ecclesiastical use. Since the history of these vessels is intertwined with that of the communities that used them, their study also provides insight into the historical development of the congregations themselves.

In New Testament textual criticism, a broad consensus has emerged that the Markan shorter ending, the scene of Jesus' agony (Luke 22:43–44), and the story of the adulterous woman (John 7:53–8:11) did not originally belong to the text of the Gospels. Because the traditions underlying these passages are early, the most recent critical editions of the Greek New Testament print them in the main text. On the basis of an analysis of these early traditions, the present study contends that (1) the conclusio brevior was appended to the Gospel according to Mark as part of the Vorlage for the earliest known Old Latin translation; (2) the Agonia Christi was inserted into the "Western text" of Luke's Gospel as an anti-Gnostic polemic; and (3) the Pericope Adulterae was incorporated into John as an anti-Novatianist polemical discourse via the Greek exemplars underlying the Vulgate.

The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah contains four visions that are generally accepted by scholarly consensus: 1:11–12; 1:13–16; 24:1–14; and 38:21–23. This thesis examines the origin, structure, and possible interpretations of these visions, with particular attention to identifying and analyzing elements that indicate visionary experience. The book also contains several other passages that include vision-related elements, namely: 4:23–28; 11:18–23; 13:1–11; 25:15–38; 23:19–20/30:23–24; and 4:13–18. These disputed passages are also examined in the thesis. In this context, I summarize scholarly opinions regarding their literary classification and possible interpretations. This makes it possible to see which elements support the interpretation of these passages as visions and which arguments have been put forward against such an understanding. The concluding section of the thesis presents a synthesis based on the four visions accepted by scholarly consensus.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the extent to which the elusive postmodern zeitgeist influences ordinary people's faith in God, their relationship to the church, and the congregational demands of the Christian church. It also seeks to answer how far the teachings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the influential theologian who was martyred during World War II, can respond to these congregational needs. The topicality of the paper lies in its aim to provide a systematic theological framework for Reformed congregational pastors and members, with the aim of providing them with a theoretical basis for confronting postmodern problems. One such problem may be the scepticism and relativism that is characteristic of postmodernism and that is present in the life of the average church member today. A further challenge for the church may be the change in postmodern language and the isolation of individuals from one another.

The Epistle of Jude is one of the most complex yet historically marginalized texts of the New Testament. This thesis aims to address the closely interrelated issues of authorship and dating by examining the letter's historical and contentual questions in unity. Utilizing a historical-critical approach, the study integrates literary, theological, and rigorous linguistic-exegetical analyses. Beginning with canon-historical data and the second temple Jewish apocryphal background, the scope is progressively narrowed to the exegesis of core Greek terms in pivotal passages (Jude 3–4; 17–21). The analysis demonstrates that the content of faith appears as an authoritative yet still open apostolic tradition. Through the synthesis of linguistic and theological data, the thesis attempts to provide a well-founded definition of the letter's early ecclesial context and circumstances of composition.

This thesis examines the theology of the intermediate state, focusing on the dogmatic and pastoral significance of the unconscious state of the dead for the contemporary church. The research interprets the state between death and the final resurrection by comparing Reformed and Seventh-day Adventist perspectives, highlighting its practical implications for comforting the bereaved. Using historical and comparative methods, the study analyzes trichotomous, dichotomous, and monistic models, concluding that these theological differences are shaped by distinct anthropological presuppositions. Adventist theology understands death as an unconscious state of the whole person until Christ's return. By contrast, Reformed theology maintains that the believer's soul remains in conscious communion with the Lord after death, awaiting bodily resurrection. Ultimately, a responsible interpretation of the intermediate state is essential for authentic Christian comfort.

This paper summarizes the life of a 20th-century Transylvanian Reformed pastor who was born under Hungarian rule and lived under Romanian rule. He grew up as a war orphan and, after choosing to study theology, embarked on a career in the ministry. He spent the longest period of his ministry in Pankota, Arad County, but also served as an assistant pastor in Szalárd and Nagyszalonta, and as a deputy pastor in Bősháza prior to his retirement. Due to his religious activities, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison and forced labor, but was eventually released early thanks to a pardon. His accounts reveal that his love for God was the driving force behind his determined effort to share the Gospel with everyone. Based on what we can see from the surviving documents, it appears that he truly loved even his enemies. One of the most unique sources in this paper is Sándor Szilágyi's autobiography, in which he described his experiences in the years following his imprisonment.

In New Testament textual criticism, a broad consensus has emerged that the Markan shorter ending, the scene of Jesus' agony (Luke 22:43–44), and the story of the adulterous woman (John 7:53–8:11) did not originally belong to the text of the Gospels. Because the traditions underlying these passages are early, the most recent critical editions of the Greek New Testament print them in the main text. On the basis of an analysis of these early traditions, the present study contends that (1) the conclusio brevior was appended to the Gospel according to Mark as part of the Vorlage for the earliest known Old Latin translation; (2) the Agonia Christi was inserted into the "Western text" of Luke's Gospel as an anti-Gnostic polemic; and (3) the Pericope Adulterae was incorporated into John as an anti-Novatianist polemical discourse via the Greek exemplars underlying the Vulgate.

The primary aim of my thesis is to examine how and in what direction the image of God held by individuals struggling with addiction changed during rehabilitation in various rehabilitation centres. I also investigated whether this change influenced their therapy, especially in relation to abstinence. To answer these questions, I conducted 21 interviews, taking into account the complexity of the image of God. The study focuses on childhood images of God, family and religious socialization, changes in the image of God during active addiction, and the new image of God formed during rehabilitation. It also examines which activities, experiences, and institutional teachings contributed to this transformation. The results show that, in Christian rehabilitation centres, the formation of the image of God is often connected to changes in self-understanding, guilt, hope, and the relationship to abstinence.

This master's thesis examines the ego concepts of the New Age and postmodernism, weighing them against the gospel and the Christian confessions. The research explores the birth of the modern self, focusing on how humanity shifted from following the divine order to creating its own identity. The thesis critiques the unstable, fluid identity of postmodernism, as well as the self-worshipping ego of the New Age movement. Based on Scripture and Reformed confessions, the work contrasts these modern secular ideas with the biblical worldview. The research concludes that true human dignity and stability are not found in absolute independence, but exclusively in a restored identity, redeemed in Christ and reconciled with the Creator.

This thesis examines the emergence and influence of liberal theology within the Transylvanian Reformed Church through the life and work of Bishop Péter Nagy. The aim of the research is to explore how nineteenth-century theological rationalism and liberalism appeared in Transylvania, what its principal teachings were, and how it influenced Reformed theological thought and religious education. The first chapter presents the origins and main characteristics of liberal theology, with special attention to its understanding of revelation, Scripture, and the person of Jesus Christ. This is followed by an overview of the historical background of its spread in Hungary and Transylvania. The third chapter discusses the life and ecclesiastical activity of Péter Nagy, while the final chapter analyzes his smaller and larger catechisms.

This thesis addresses the challenges of small-group catechesis (5–10 participants) within the Transylvanian Reformed context, characterized by declining youth participation and fragile faith commitment in the context of the Romanian Reformed congregations which comprise 2.38% of the population according to 2021 census. The central research question examines how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be applied in catechetical settings so that faith commitment and ecclesial integration emerge from intrinsic conviction rather than external obligation. The theoretical framework integrates congregational pedagogy, Elaine B. Johnson's Contextual Teaching and Learning Theory (CTL), and the MI model developed by Miller and Rollnick. Theological evaluation rests on ecclesiological, christological, and ethical foundations.

This thesis is a continuation of a previous research project examining the little-known phenomenon of foreign-born wives of Reformed ministers in the Transylvanian Reformed Church between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries. Building upon an earlier study that primarily focused on identifying and mapping the phenomenon and the individuals involved, the present work aims to provide an in-depth exploration of individual life stories and marriages. The research is based on archival sources, ecclesiastical records, parish registers, personal correspondence, family genealogies, and other original documents. Through a series of case studies, the thesis examines, among others, the marriages of Borosnyai Lukács Simon and Margarethe Hugh, as well as ifj. Eperjesi Zsigmond and Maria Wiskofski. The analysis demonstrates that foreign-born wives were required both to meet the expectations associated with the role of a minister's wife and to adapt to an unfamiliar cultural environment.

Across Transylvania, countless people struggle with addiction, to the extent that nearly everyone is affected, either individuals themselves or at least one of their close or distant family members. The issue of addiction is exceedingly complex, as it manifests on physiological, psychological, familial, and social levels, while also impacting the spiritual life of the individual. Just as addiction is complex, so too is providing assistance to those affected. In my thesis, I sought to answer how pastors and congregations can collaborate with the church-based assistance currently available in Transylvania. For decades, The Bonus Pastor Foundation has been helping individuals seeking recovery by combining person-centered therapy with family-focused attention. Pastors need to complement this ministry to make it even more effective.

In this study, I examined the eighteenth-century aristocratic funerals and the pastoral ministry performed during these ceremonies. My research sought to reconstruct and describe, step by step, the funeral practices of the period, to identify all relevant references in synodal records, canon law, and contemporary diary entries, and to draw conclusions and establish broader patterns based on statistical data derived from the bibliographies of eighteenth-century funeral sermons. Aristocratic funerals of the period were among the most significant events in Transylvanian Reformed society. They provide valuable insights into contemporary culture, social and ecclesiastical dynamics, the theological thinking of reformed ministers, and the traditions of aristocratic burial customs, many of which can be traced back to the Middle Ages.