Szentlélek

Szentlélek is the Hungarian designation for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity in Christian theology. It is used by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant communities in Hungary and in Hungarian-language religious texts. The term corresponds to the English Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost.

Etymology: The name consists of szent, meaning holy, and lélek, meaning spirit, breath, or life. It has been used in Hungarian translations of the Bible and liturgy to denote the Spirit of God.

Theology: The Holy Spirit is understood as the eternal presence and action of God in the world. In most Christian traditions, the Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, coequal with the Father and the Son. In Western theology the Spirit is described as proceeding from the Father and the Son, while Eastern Orthodoxy emphasizes procession from the Father. The Spirit is believed to enable creation and revelation, empower the Church, and sanctify believers. Traditional doctrines speak of the gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord—and the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In worship and devotion: Pentecost marks the sending of the Holy Spirit to the apostles. The Spirit is invoked in sacraments such as baptism and confirmation, and in liturgical prayers and hymns. In Hungarian religious life, Szentlélek appears in church names, devotions, and cultural references as a symbol of divine guidance and renewal.