Cirill T. Hortobágyi OSB
Archabbot of the Territorial Archabbey of Pannonhalma and superior of the Benedictine community.
Superior of the community
“The monastery is an attempt to arrange one small part of the world ideally.”
The office of archabbot
Pannonhalma is a territorial archabbey: the archabbot's jurisdiction does not stop at the monastery wall but extends to the parishes belonging to it. He is elected by the community, and the election is confirmed by the Holy See.
An open monastery
“Pannonhalma is open to everyone — regardless of religion or denomination, we welcome every person of good will.” That sentence is not a courtesy: it follows from the chapter of the Rule on hospitality, and it shapes how the hill receives its visitors.
THE ROAD TO THE OFFICE
How Pannonhalma got its 87th abbot
A Benedictine abbot is elected by his community, not appointed. The election is confirmed by the Pope, and the service begins with a liturgical blessing — the benediction.
- 6 January 2018
The community elects
The forty solemnly professed monks of Pannonhalma elected Cirill T. Hortobágyi, prior of the archabbey, as the new archabbot of St Martin's monastery.
- 16 February 2018
Papal confirmation
Pope Francis accepted the chapter's choice and appointed Father Cirill archabbot of Pannonhalma and ordinary of the Territorial Abbacy of Pannonhalma.
- 21 March 2018
Benediction on St Benedict's feast
The blessing was given by Bishop Asztrik Várszegi, archabbot emeritus, by András Veres, president of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference, and by Michael Reepen, abbot of Münsterschwarzach; the homily was preached by Primate Abbot Gregory Polan.
- since 996
The eighty-seventh
Father Cirill is the 87th abbot of the monastery founded in 996, the eighty-sixth successor of Abbot St Asztrik. The archabbot of Pannonhalma is also, ex officio, president abbot of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation.
The benediction
The benediction is the blessing with which an elected abbot begins his service. Father Cirill received it on the feast of St Benedict, in the Basilica of St Martin.
The recording holds the whole rite — with superiors of the Benedictine order from three countries and representatives of the Hungarian church.
The day of the election
On 6 January 2018 the result of the abbatial election was announced in the Basilica of St Martin. Photographs by András D. Hajdú.