The Fragile Odyssey: Hungary’s National Treasure
The democratically elected leader of Hungarians in the former Czechoslovakia, János Esterházy, passed away in prison on March 8, 1957, under the oppressive communist regime. Starved, tortured, and humiliated, Esterházy’s ashes were callously disposed of in a mass grave, and his modest possessions were withheld from his mourning family—except for one precious item.
Following his death, the prison authorities finally agreed to hand over his personal rosary to his wife, Lívia Serényi. This rosary, made from cigarette paper, breadcrumbs, and linen threads with his saliva, had served as his sole source of comfort during his agonizing time in prison. Esterházy’s metamorphosis into a revered spiritual leader among fellow inmates was widely documented, with many speaking of the solace and Christian fellowship they found in his presence.
Upon his wife’s passing, the fragile paper rosary was passed down to Esterházy’s daughter, Alice Esterházy-Malfatti, now residing in Italy. She graciously donated her father’s personal belongings to Boldizsár Paulisz, the founder of the János Esterházy Pilgrimage Center in Slovakia. The rosary was displayed in a cabinet at the museum until 2024 when plans were made for its restoration and preservation.
In early March, the rosary underwent a meticulous restoration process by top paper restoration experts in Hungary, generously offering their services free of charge. The rosary, crafted from cigarette paper, cloth shreds, and breadcrumbs, though fragile, has endured for over seventy years. The restored relic was exhibited at the János Esterházy Award ceremony in Parliament, where Cardinal Dominik Duka blessed it. The relic is now destined for a permanent display in the chapel of the János Esterházy Pilgrimage Center.
The rosary symbolizes not only the personal tribulations of János Esterházy but also the collective suffering of Hungarian, Czech, and Slovak political prisoners. It serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and faith in the face of adversity, honoring the memory of a remarkable leader who found solace and strength in his unwavering devotion to prayer.
