Saint Stephen of Hungary
First king of Hungary, who established Christianity in the kingdom
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Royalty
- Life
- 975 – 1038
- Era
- 11th century
- Feast
- 16 August
- Countries
- Hungary
Life story
Stephen was born around 975 with the childhood name Vajk, the son of Grand Prince Géza, leader of the Magyars. He was baptised in his youth, and Géza began allowing missionaries to work in his territory. Stephen married Gisela, sister of the future German king Henry II, a marriage that bound Hungary more closely to the Christian world of the West. After his father died in 997, he had to defeat relatives who disputed the succession in order to take power. Hungarian sources of the following centuries emphasise that his conversion marked the turning of his people from a nomadic tradition toward settled Christian monarchy.
At Christmas in 1000 or on New Year's Day in 1001, he was crowned king with a crown that, according to tradition, Pope Sylvester II authorised. During his reign he founded the archdiocese of Esztergom and several other dioceses, built monasteries including Pannonhalma, and issued laws on attending Mass on Sundays and on protecting the Church. He also strengthened the administration through a system of counties, which gave the kingdom a stable foundation.
The last years of Stephen's life were sorrowful. His son Emeric, who was being prepared to succeed him, died in a hunting accident in 1031. The struggle over the succession troubled him, and he died on 15 August 1038. In 1083, under King Ladislaus I, he was canonised together with Emeric and Bishop Gellért. In Hungary his feast is kept on 20 August (16 August in the general calendar), and he is honoured as the patron of the country. The Holy Crown of Hungary, though its present form is later than his time, has long been linked with his name and remains a national symbol.
Works and witness
- First Christian king of Hungary, crowned around 1000 to 1001
- Founded the archdiocese of Esztergom and other dioceses
- Founded the monastery of Pannonhalma
- Issued laws protecting the Church and Sunday observance
- Canonised in 1083 together with Emeric and Gellért
Patron of
Hungary
Saints from the same country
References
- Legenda maior sancti Stephani regis
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.