On 10.10.2024, Ambassador Klára Beuer presented Father Ambrosius with the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit. This is a high distinction awarded by the President of Hungary and given on the basis of Ambrosius' long and significant work as a promoter of Finnish-Hungarian cooperation and as a patron of diverse cultural relations.
Ambrosius first came to Hungary in 1969, then an exchange student at the Lutheran Academy. He studied Hungarian and later came to use it extensively in various roles. He has been active with the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Hungary, and in a wide range of cultural activities. His work has included many events organised in Finland, including exhibitions and concerts at the Cultural Centre Sofia. Hungary has become a second home for Ambrosius, where he has extensive networks and a large circle of friends.
In a warm event at the Hungarian Ambassador's Residence, Ambassador Klára Beuer recounted Ambrosius' extensive career and his many links to Hungary. The event also included a reading of greetings from the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Hungary, Tamás Fabiny. In his letter, the Bishop recalls Ambrosius' years as a student under his father, who taught him church history. Then a young exchange student by the name Risto, Ambrosius visited their home, and has been in contact ever since.
Ambrosius has been a key figure in the FinnAgora foundation, and served as its chairman from 2017 to 2023. He has also promoted many projects, such as friendship congregation seminars.
At the Hungarian Embassy's convivial celebration, the guests listened to Senni Eskelinen's beautiful kantele music, enjoyed Hungarian delicacies and engaged in lively discussions. All the guests emphasised that this honour was well deserved!
Text: Anneli Temmes
Photos: Sanna Mäkinen