King Saint Stephen's day - National day of Hungary

The Hungarian capital - Budapest, celebrates the feast of Saint Stephen, on the twentieth of August every year.

Saint Stephen the King and his son prince Imrec

Saint Stephen was born in the city of Estergum in the Principality of Hungary in 975 and died on August 15, 1038. Before his birth, his mother, Duchess Sarlot, had dremt and she saw Saint Stephen I - the first martyr of the Church - telling her that she would give birth to a child who would evangelized their land .

Things to do in Budapest

Geza - Stephen's father - had desired to convert the Hungarians to the Catholic faith, a passion shared by Stephen once he reached adulthood and succeeded him in power. After conclusively defeating an alliance of rival pagan nobility, he used their acquired wealth to build a monastery, and invited clergy to convert the people.

Stephen established laws favoring Christianity over paganism, and sent an emissary to Rome with a request for the Pope to proclaim him as king. Pope Sylvester II accepted the request, sending him a crown and a gold processional cross, while also giving Stephen certain religious privileges.

He showed great diligence as king, while devoting the rest of his time to his religious duties – including charity toward the poor and sick, as well as the worship of God – and to his household. Gisela, Stephen's wife, was the sister of the ruler later canonized as the Holy Roman Emperor Saint Henry II.

Statue of King Saint Stephen in Hungary - Budapest

In 1038, Stephen delivered his final words to leaders of the Church and state, telling them to protect and spread the Catholic faith. St. Stephen of Hungary died on Aug. 15, 1038. He was buried alongside his son St. Emeric, and the two were canonized together in August 15,  1083.

During his tenure, he worked to spread Christianity widely on the European continent, and is generally considered to be the founder of the Hungarian Empire. Pope Gregory VII declared His Holiness Stephen and his son, Saint Emeric, Prince of Hungary on August 20, 1083, and Stephen became one of the most famous Christian saints in Hungary and Europe, and August 20 is considered an annual feast day in Hungary, celebrated as a public national holiday to commemorate State establishment.

Basilica San Esteban Budapest

From the touristic side, the statue of Saint Stephen in the heart of Budapest, the capital of Hungary, and Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, as well as some of the saint’s personal holdings in the Cathedral and city museums are among the most important places that you must visit while visiting Budapest - Hungary (Heart of Europe).

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