Pilgrims' memorial trees in the Greek Catholic churchyard
 

Hajdúdorog was, as the biggest Hungarian Orthodox church, the starter and the flagship for more than a hundred years of that movement which obtained the usage of Hungarian liturgic language and to make this highly important achievement sure they urged establishing a Hungarian Orthodox diocese. The Orthodox Hungarians already lived for centuries in ecclesiastical connection with Eastern Slavic and Vlach people. Their endeavour to, following the Slavic and Vlach example, include the Hungarian language in the liturgies lived for more than a century, as the first subsisting Hungarian translation for the Orthodox holy masses is from 1759. The movement leader Lajos Farkas became the lieutenant of the Hajdú district. He put his life on making a success of the issue. Károly Mészáros from Hajdúdorog was concerned about the same, he showed in his article in the newspaper Kárpáti Hírnök ('Carpathian Herald') published in 1861 that Hungarian Orthodox people would not hear but Russian mass, Russian singings. There is not a single Hungarian handbook or prayer book, our mother tongue is so much thrust into the background that people would not realize they become Russian or Romanian. He shared the idea that saving the Hungarian Orthodox people is only possible by establishing a bishopric. A turning point of the fight were the events of the millennial year 1896. At the time of the nationwide celebrations Dorog found the time convenient to continue the struggle more resolutely. On the occasions of the national celebrations a fairly big deputation went to Budapest, where Andor Újhelyi parish priest with the aid of György Lelesz cantor held a ceremonial Hungarian liturgy in the university church on 27th June. The news reached Rome, the answer from the Holy See did not took long, it forbid the liturgic use of Hungarian and ordered to destruct the Hungarian ceremonial books. This not only shocked but also vivified the Hungarian Orthodox people - the fight went on. On 20th June 1898 the National Committee of Greek Celebrating Hungarians was established with Jenő Szabó ministerial counsellor, member of the Upper House in the chair.
 

On the proposal of the Hungarian government, Franz Joseph I of Austria established the Hungarian Orthodox Diocese of Hajdúdorog on 6th May 1912 and was confirmed by Pope Pius X with the bull Christifideles Graeci on 8th June 1912. Though papal bull prescribed the usage of the Ancient Greek language, it did not forbid Hungarian.
 

There were 42 pilgrims from Hajdúdorog. To the memory of them and the victory gained through long and hard fight 42 trees were planted in the temple garden. Among the trees we can find chestnuts, lindens, olive trees, oaks and pagoda trees. 35 of them are still living, the others are going to be replaced.
 

Japanese pagoda tree
 

Japanese Pagoda Tree or Scholar Tree, belongs to the Fabaceae family, originally distributed in Southeast Asia, native to South-China and Korea. Contrary to its name, it is not native to Japan. It has been planted in Europe's parks and streets as showy, ornamental tree since 1747. Drought-resistant, that's why it is popular in Hungary's urban areas. Its varieties differ in flower-color and flowering period, but basically all of them bring their flowers from middle summer, in hanging racemes.
 
 

Pedunculate oak in Szív street
 

Pedunculate oaks in Vasút street
 

The history of Queen Elizabeth's trees.
 

Eight Pedunculate oaks, -under Vasút street 10- just as other protected trees in town have been under protected status since 2004.
 

In the 19th of November, 1898, on Elizabeth's day, the Agricultural minister of that time. Mr. Ignác Darányi turned to the people of Hungary in a letter, asking them to plant trees in commemoration of the viciously assasinated Queen Elizabeth, who had been so kind and helping to the Hungarian people. In his letter, Mr. Ignác Darányi pointed out: "Among the trees to be planted, those of weeipng kind such as Weeping willow, European weeping Beech, and Ashes, should be adequately represented, along with the Queen's favourites like oaks, spruces, and other long-living species." He also ordered that the trees, parks, groves to be planted: "Should bear the name of Queen Elizabeth, marked with signs, so that they would be granted with proper care, and protected from any harm."
 

Reacting upon this request, the locals and leaders of the town joined and 592 trees were planted, including horse chestnuts, poplars, ashes, and black locusts. According to a publication of that time, the Greek Catholic Church of Hajdúdorog planted 60 black locusts, and the Hungarian Royal Tobacco Exchanger planted additional 15 horse chestnuts, spruces, black locusts, limes, and ashes.
 

The eight protected pedunculate oaks hold the memory of this story, -standing now in the property of OKIN Hungary machine factory-, they were all planted by the director of the former Tobacco Exchanger.
 
 

Trees of Dohánybeváltó street
 

The trees under Dohánybeváltó street 2, have been under protection since 2004, and their history dates back to those of described earlier. This area otherwhise adjoins the Tobacco Exchanger's property. The group of trees, which include one horse chestnut and five maples is now owned by Mr. György Nagy, and the property currently is housing a clothing trade company. The protection status was marked with a curved stone by the Hajdúdorog Parochialist and Town protection Organization.
 

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