St. Stephen of Hungary

St. Stephen of Hungary was born around 975 at Esztergom, the son of the Magyar chieftain Géza, and died on 15 August 1038. Baptized in his youth, he succeeded his father as ruler and, around the year 1000, received a royal crown sent by Pope Sylvester II, becoming the first King of Hungary. He set himself to bind his people to the Christian faith and to the community of Christian nations of Europe.

He organized the Hungarian Church, founding dioceses, building churches and monasteries, and legislating for the support of religion and the protection of the poor, while suppressing the pagan reaction with firmness. A just and devout king, he was said to keep his door open to the needy and consecrated his realm to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His only son, St. Emeric, died before him, a great personal sorrow. Stephen was canonized in 1083 and is honored as the patron and founder of Christian Hungary, his feast kept on 16 August.