St. Stephen of Hungary (about 975–1038) was the first Christian king of Hungary, crowned around the year 1000 with a crown sent, according to tradition, by Pope Sylvester II; he organized the Church in his kingdom, founded dioceses and monasteries, protected the poor, and before his death entrusted his people to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is the patron saint of Hungary, and his right hand, the “Holy Right,” is still carried in procession in Budapest. His feast day in the General Roman Calendar is August 16; in Hungary, August 20 is a national holiday in his honor. Below are his story, Scripture and a prayer to St. Stephen of Hungary.
A short prayer to St. Stephen of Hungary, written for this page:
St. Stephen, you ruled your people with justice and placed them under Mary’s protection.
Pray for Hungary and for all nations, for rulers and for fathers,
that we may build our lives and our countries on Christ. Amen.
Who was St. Stephen of Hungary?
Stephen was born around 975 at Esztergom, the son of Géza, the Grand Prince of the Magyars, and was named Vajk; at his baptism as a boy he received the name Stephen. He married Gisela, sister of the future Emperor St. Henry II, who is honored as Blessed. After his father’s death he defeated rivals who wanted to restore paganism, and on Christmas Day in the year 1000, or on January 1, 1001, he was crowned king.
Stephen made Hungary a Christian kingdom. He founded the archdiocese of Esztergom and other dioceses, built churches and monasteries, invited missionaries, ordered that every ten villages build a church, and was known for personally giving alms to the poor. He wrote a book of counsels for his son and heir, St. Emeric, urging him to keep the faith, respect the Church, show mercy, welcome foreigners and be patient. Emeric died young in 1031. Grieving and without an heir, Stephen offered his crown and kingdom to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and he died on her feast, the Assumption, August 15, 1038. He and Emeric were canonized in 1083.
Scripture
The heart of a just king is in God’s hand (Proverbs 21:1, Douay-Rheims):
As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
What is St. Stephen of Hungary the patron saint of?
- Hungary, its kings and its people
- Bricklayers and masons, in traditional lists
- Dying children and parents who have lost a child, in traditional lists
Feast day
The optional memorial of St. Stephen of Hungary is August 16. In Hungary his solemnity is celebrated on August 20, a national holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first king of Hungary?
St. Stephen, crowned around the year 1000.
What is the Holy Right?
The incorrupt right hand of St. Stephen, kept in St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest and carried in procession on August 20.
When is his feast day?
August 16 in the General Roman Calendar; August 20 in Hungary.
More saints
- Patron saints of countries
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- St. Louis IX
- Pope St. Sylvester I
- Assumption of Mary
- Saint of the day
Texts and sources
- Proverbs 21:1 (Douay-Rheims).