Saint Stephen of Hungary
Saint Stephen
King and Confessor
Born	967/969/975, Esztergom
Died	15 August 1038, Esztergom
Canonized	20 August 1083, Esztergom by Pope Gregory VII
Major shrine	Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest
Feast	16 August (20 August in Hungary)
Attributes	crown, sceptre, globe
Saints Portal

Saint Stephen I (Hungarian: I. A king is a male Monarch, or a Head of state, who may or may not depending on the style of government of a nation exercise monarchal powers over a territory usually The title Confessor, the short form of Confessor of the Faith, is a title given by the Roman Catholic Church to male Saints and blesseds who were 967 was a year in the 10th century. Events By Place Europe The Bishopric of Merseburg is formed in Saxony 969 was a year in the 10th century. Events By Place Byzantine Empire December 11 — John I becomes Events By Place Europe King Edward the Martyr is crowned in England. Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. Canonization is the act by which a particular Christian church declares a deceased person to be a Saint and is included in the canon or list of recognized saints Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. Pope A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’ also used as a desk like the French bureau) was originally a container usually made of precious materials used St Stephen's Basilica ( Hungarian: Szent István-bazilika) is an Ecclesiastic Basilica in Budapest, Hungary. Budapest ( also /ˈbʊ-/) is the capital city of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary it serves as the country's principal Political, The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Christianity has used symbols from its very beginnings Each Saint has a story and a reason why he or she led an exemplary life Hungarian ( magyar nyelv) is a Uralic language (more specifically a Ugric language) unrelated to most other languages in Europe. (Szent) István, Slovak: (Svätý) Štefan I. The Slovak language ( slovenčina, slovenský jazyk, not to be confused with Slovenščina) sometimes referred to as "Slovakian" ) (967/969/975, Esztergom, Hungary – 15 August 1038, Esztergom, Hungary), Grand Prince of the Magyars (997-1000/1001) and the first King of Hungary (1000/1001-1038). 967 was a year in the 10th century. Events By Place Europe The Bishopric of Merseburg is formed in Saxony 969 was a year in the 10th century. Events By Place Byzantine Empire December 11 — John I becomes Events By Place Europe King Edward the Martyr is crowned in England. Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Grand Prince (nagyfejedelem was the title used by contemporary sources to name the leader of the federation of the Magyar tribes in the Tenth Century The King of Hungary (magyar király was the Head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 (or 1001 to 1918 Stephen was born under the pagan Turkish name Vajk, but was baptised as Stephen in his childhood. Following the death of his father, Géza, Stephen became the Grand Prince of the Magyars, but he could only strengthen his rule when he defeated his relative, Koppány. Géza (c 945 &ndash 997 Grand Prince of the Magyars (before 972 - 997 Koppány was a Hungarian nobleman of the tenth century Brother of the ruling prince of Hungary Géza of the Árpád dynasty, Koppány ruled as Prince Shortly afterwards, he claimed and received a crown from the pope and he became the first King of Hungary. Stephen extended his rule in the Carpathian Basin with force by defeating several local chieftains. The Pannonian Basin or Carpathian Basin is a large basin in Central Europe. He maintained peace with the Holy Roman Empire during the first three decades of his reign, and later he could withdraw the attacks of Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor. The Holy Roman Empire ( HRE; German Heiliges Römisches Reich (HRR, Latin Sacrum Romanum Imperium (SRI was a union of territories in Henry III ( 29 October 1017 &ndash 5 October 1056) called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty Stephen established ten dioceses in his kingdom and he issued severe decrees against pagan customs and in favor of the Christian faith in order to strengthen Christianity among his subjects. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings He organised several counties (vármegye) in Hungary and his decrees could ensure the internal peace in his kingdom. The following lists show the administrative divisions of the lands belonging to the Hungarian crown (1000 -1918 at selected points of time Based on his acts, he is generally considered as the founder of Hungary. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Following the death of his son, Emeric, Stephen wanted to ensure the maintenance of the Christianity in his kingdom and therefore he named his sister's son, the Venetian Peter Urseolo as his heir instead of his cousin, Vazul whom he suspected following pagan customs and ordered him blinded. Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204 Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the Peter I the Venetian ( Hungarian: I (Velencei Péter) (c 1010-1015, Venice, Italy &ndash 1046 or 30 August 1059 Vazul (Basil (11th century &ndash died 1037 was a Hungarian noble of the Árpád family Duke between Morava (March and Esztergom (Hran or Stephen was canonised, together with his son and Bishop Gerard of Csanád, on 20 August 1083 and he become one of the most popular saints in Hungary. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine

Early years

St. Stephen was born Vajk^[1] in the town of Esztergom. Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. His father was Géza, Grand Prince of the Magyars; his mother was Sarolt, the daughter of Gyula of Transylvania. Géza (c 945 &ndash 997 Grand Prince of the Magyars (before 972 - 997 Sarolt (c 950 &ndash after 997) wife of Géza, High Prince of the Magyars. Gyula is a Hungarian male given name It was adopted as a Given name sometime after the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary. Transylvania (Ardeal or ro ''Transilvania'' Erdély, see also other denominations) is a Central European region located in the eastern half of the Carpathian ^[2] According to his legends, Vajk was baptized by Saint Adalbert of Prague. Saint Adalbert ( Czech:; Wojciech c 956&ndash April 23, 997) a Bishop of Prague, was martyred in his efforts to convert the Baltic ^[3] He was given the baptismal name Stephen (István) in honour of the original early Christian Saint Stephen. ^[4]

When Stephen reached adolescence, Great Prince Géza convened an assembly where they decided that Stephen would follow his father as the monarch of the Magyars. Hungarians (or Magyars, magyarok are an Ethnic group primarily associated with Hungary. ^[5] Nevertheless, this decision contradicted the Magyar tribal custom that gave preference to the eldest member of the ruling family to the deceased ruler's son.

Stephen married Giselle of Bavaria, the daughter of Henry II the Wrangler and Gisela of Burgundy in or after 995. Giselle of Bavaria (also Gisela or Gizella) (c 985&ndash1033 or 1065 was the daughter of Henry II Duke of Bavaria and Gisela of Burgundy Henry II (951&ndash995 called the Wrangler or the Quarrelsome, in German Heinrich der Zänker, was the son of Henry I and Judith of Bavaria Gisela Princess of Burgundy (before 952 &ndash July 21, 1006) was the daughter of Conrad the Peaceful, King of Burgundy and Adelaide of Bellay ^[6] By this marriage, he became the brother-in-law of the future Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor. Saint Henry II ( May 6, 973 &ndash July 13, 1024) called the Holy or the Saint, was the fifth and last Holy Giselle arrived to her husband's court accompanied by German knights. Giselle of Bavaria (also Gisela or Gizella) (c 985&ndash1033 or 1065 was the daughter of Henry II Duke of Bavaria and Gisela of Burgundy ^[7]

Ruling prince of the Magyar

In 997, his father died and a succession struggle ensued. Events By Place Europe First documented reference to the City of Gdańsk. ^[8] Stephen claimed to rule the Magyars as the deceased monarch's son, while his relative Koppány, a powerful pagan chieftain in Somogy, claimed the traditional right of seniority. Koppány was a Hungarian nobleman of the tenth century Brother of the ruling prince of Hungary Géza of the Árpád dynasty, Koppány ruled as Prince Somogy is the name of an administrative county ( Comitatus or megye in present Hungary, and also in the former Kingdom of Hungary. ^[9] Eventually, the two met in battle near Veszprém and Stephen was victorious, primarily thanks to his German retinue lead by the brothers Pázmány and Hont^[10]. Veszprém ( German: Weißbrunn, Croatian: Vesprim Besprim Slovak: Vesprím, Serbian: Vesprim Hont (- Slovak and Hungarian and German, in Latin: Honthum, in Hungarian also Honth) is the name of a historic administrative The nearly contemporary deed of foundation of the Abbey of Pannonhalma clearly described the battle as a struggle between the Germans and the Magyars. Pannonhalma is a small town in western Hungary, in Győr-Moson-Sopron county with approx Thus, Stephen strengthened his power in Transdanubia, but several parts of Hungary still did not accept his rule.

According to Hungarian tradition Pope Silvester II, with the consent of Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor, sent a magnificent jeweled gold crown to Stephen along with an apostolic cross and a letter of blessing officially recognizing Stephen as the Christian king of Hungary. Pope Sylvester II, or Silvester II (c 946&ndash May 12, 1003) born Gerbert d'Aurillac, was a prolific scholar teacher and Pope Otto III (980 &ndash January 23, 1002) was the fourth ruler of the Saxon or Ottonian dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Crown of Hungary ( Hungarian: Magyar Szent Korona, German: Stephanskrone, Croatian: Kruna svetoga Stjepana, The date of this coronation is variously given as Christmas Day, 1000 or 1 January 1001. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC

First king of Hungary

King Stephen's statue in his hometown, Esztergom

After (or just before) his coronation Stephen I founded several dioceses, ie, the dioceses of Veszprém, Győr, Kalocsa, Vác, Bihar. Esztergom (known by alternative names) is a City in northern Hungary, about 50 km north-west of the Capital Budapest. The Diocese of Oradea (Dioecesis Magnovaradinensis Latinorum Nagyváradi Római Katolikus Egyházmegye Dieceza Romano-Catolică de Oradea is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory He also established the Archdiocese of Esztergom, thus he set up an ecclesiastical organisation independent of the German archbishops. He also began to organise a territory-based administration by founding several counties (comitatus, megye) in his kingdom.

Stephen discouraged pagan customs and strengthened Christianity with various laws. In his first decree, issued in the beginning of his rule, he ordered that each ten villages are obliged to build a church. He invited foreign priests to Hungary to evangelize his kingdom; Saint Astricus served as his advisor, and Stephen also had Saint Gerard Sagredo as the tutor for his son Imre. Saint Astrik of Pannonhalma (also known as Anastasius Astericus Ascrick Astricus) (d Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204

Around 1003, he invaded and occupied Transylvania, a territory ruled by his maternal uncle, Gyula, a semi-independent chieftain; and after his victory, he organised the Diocese of Transylvania. Transylvania (Ardeal or ro ''Transilvania'' Erdély, see also other denominations) is a Central European region located in the eastern half of the Carpathian Gyula is a Hungarian male given name It was adopted as a Given name sometime after the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary. In the next few years he also occupied the lands of the Black Magyars in the Southern part of Transdanubia, and organised there the Diocese of Pécs. Black Magyars ( Latin: Ungri Nigri) were a (semi-independent group of the Magyars before and after the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin at the Shortly afterwards, he probably made an agreement with Samuel Aba, the chieftain of the Kabar tribes settled in the Mátra region, who married Stephen's sister; in his brother-in-law's domains, Stephen founded the Diocese of Eger. Samuel Aba ( Hungarian: Aba Sámuel) (? &ndash after 5 July 1044 King of Hungary (1041-1044 Palatine of Hungary (c The Kabars (Gr Kabaroi or Kavars were a Turkic tribal confederation who lived in the vicinity of Poltava in the 9th century. Mátra is a Mountain range in northern Hungary, between to the Towns Gyöngyös and Eger.

Finally, Stephen occupied the domains of Ajtony, a semi-pagan chieftain, who had been ruling over the territories of the later Banat, where he set up the Diocese of Csanád. Ahtum ( Bulgarian and Serbian Cyrillic: Ахтум Hungarian: Ajtony; also spelled Ohtum or Achtum) was an early The Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries the eastern part lies in Romania (the counties

External politics

A statue of the king in Miskolc

In his external politics Stephen I allied himself with his brother-in-law, the Emperor Henry II against Prince Boleslaw I of Poland, who had extended his rule over the territories between the Morava and Vág Rivers. Miskolc (miʃkolts approximate pronunciation "Me-shkolts" in Slovak Miškovec, in Polish Miszkolc) is a city in North-East Saint Henry II ( May 6, 973 &ndash July 13, 1024) called the Holy or the Saint, was the fifth and last Holy Morava may refer to; Place names Czech language Moravia (Morava eastern part of the territory of the Czech Republic Dolní Morava He sent troops to the Emperor's army, and in the Peace of Bautzen, in 1018, the Polish prince had to hand over the occupied territories to Stephen. The Peace of Bautzen (Frieden von Bautzen Pokój w Budziszynie was a Peace treaty signed by Emperor Henry II and Duke Bolesław I the Brave

Shortly afterwards, Stephen sent troops to help Boleslaw I in his campaign against the Kievan Rus'. Kievan Rus′ (Ки́евская Русь romanised: Kievskaya Rus', rusʲ also written as Kyivan Rus′ (Ки́ївська Русь or Kievan In 1018, Stephen lead his armies against Bulgaria, in alliance with the Byzantine Emperor Basil II, and collected several relics during his campaign. The Second Bulgarian Empire ( Bulgarian: Второ българско царство Vtorо Balgarskо Tsartsvo) was a Medieval Bulgarian state This is a list of the Emperors of the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly known as the Byzantine Empire by modern historians Basil II, surnamed the Bulgar-slayer (Βασίλειος Β΄ Βουλγαροκτόνος Basileios II Boulgaroktonos, 958 &ndash December 15 1025

After the death of Henry II (July 3, 1024), Stephen broke with the German alliance, because the new Holy Roman Emperor, Conrad II claimed the supremacy over the kingdom of Hungary, while Stephen demanded the duchy of Bavaria for his son Emeric who was the nearest relative of the deceased Emperor Henry II (who himself had been the last male descendant of the old dukes of Bavaria). Saint Henry II ( May 6, 973 &ndash July 13, 1024) called the Holy or the Saint, was the fifth and last Holy Conrad II (c 990&ndash June 4, 1039) was the son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace who inherited The Kingdom of Hungary (short form Hungary) was a considerable state in Central Europe that existed from 1001 to 1918 then from 1919 to 1946 The following is a list of rulers during the History of Bavaria. Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204 Saint Henry II ( May 6, 973 &ndash July 13, 1024) called the Holy or the Saint, was the fifth and last Holy In 1027, Stephen had Bishop Werner of Strasbourg, the envoy sent by Conrad II to the Byzantine Empire, arrested at the frontier. Conrad II (c 990&ndash June 4, 1039) was the son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace who inherited In 1030, the Emperor lead his armies against Hungary, but Stephen's troops enforced their retreat. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Stephen and the Emperor Conrad II concluded peace in 1031, and the territories between the Leitha (Hungarian:(Lajta)) and Fischa Rivers were ceded to Hungary. Conrad II (c 990&ndash June 4, 1039) was the son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace who inherited The Leitha ( German: Leitha; Hungarian: Lajta; Czech and Slovak: Litava) is a river in Central Europe Hungarian ( magyar nyelv) is a Uralic language (more specifically a Ugric language) unrelated to most other languages in Europe. The Fischa River is a River in Austria.

His last years

Stephen intended to retire to a life of holy contemplation and hand the kingdom over to his son Emeric, but Emeric was wounded in a hunting accident and died in 1031. Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204 Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204 In Stephen's words of mourning:

By God's secret decision death took him, so that wickedness would not change his soul and false imaginations would not deceive his mind – as the Book of Wisdom teaches about early death. Book of Wisdom or Wisdom of Solomon or simply Wisdom is one of the Deuterocanonical books of the Bible.

Stephen mourned for a very long time over the loss of his son, which took a great toll on his health. He eventually recovered, but never regained his original vitality. Having no children left, he could not find anyone among his remaining relatives who was able to rule the country competently and willing to maintain the Christian faith of the nation. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth He did not want to entrust his kingdom to his cousin, Duke Vazul whom he suspected to be following pagan customs. The disregarded duke took part in conspiracy aimed at the murder of Stephen I, but the assassination attempt failed and Vazul had his eyes gouged out and molten lead poured in his ears.

King Stephen died on the Feast of the Assumption in 1038 at Székesfehérvár, where he was then buried. This article is about the theological concept For the works of art with this title see Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Art and Roman Catholic Marian art. Székesfehérvár (ˈseːkɛʃfɛˈheːrvaːr, colloquial Fehérvár Stuhlweißenburg İstolni Belgrad is a city in central Hungary, located around southwest of

His legacy

The Hungarian Sacred Crown is closely devoted to King Stephen. The Holy Crown of Hungary ( Hungarian: Magyar Szent Korona, German: Stephanskrone, Croatian: Kruna svetoga Stjepana, According to Hartwick's legend Pope Silvester II sent a crown to Stephen, however, it is not true as the legend cannot be recognised as authentic source, and also, there are no evidence found in Vatican City. Pope Sylvester II, or Silvester II (c 946&ndash May 12, 1003) born Gerbert d'Aurillac, was a prolific scholar teacher and Pope The Holy Crown of Hungary ( Hungarian: Magyar Szent Korona, German: Stephanskrone, Croatian: Kruna svetoga Stjepana, Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City (Stato della Città del Vaticano is a Landlocked sovereign City-state whose territory The date of his coronation is unknown, it is variously given as Christmas Day, 1000 or 1 January 1001. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC During this coronation, he dedicated the crown to the Holy Virgin, thereby sealing a contract between God and the crown (which is therefore considered a "holy" crown). " Holy Virgin " is the first single from the album 21st Century by German trance group Groove Coverage. This contract is also the base for the Doctrine of the Holy Crown, and the base of Apostolic Kingdom of Hungary. The doctrine of the Holy Crown (in Hungarian: Szentkorona-tan) is a complex Tradition that underlies Hungary 's historical unwritten The Kingdom of Hungary (short form Hungary) was a considerable state in Central Europe that existed from 1001 to 1918 then from 1919 to 1946

Stephen intended to retire to a life of holy contemplation and hand the kingdom over to his son Imre, but Imre was wounded in a hunting accident and died in 1031. Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204 In Stephen's words of mourning:

By God's secret decision death took him, so that wickedness would not change his soul and false imaginations would not deceive his mind – as the Book of Wisdom teaches about early death. Book of Wisdom or Wisdom of Solomon or simply Wisdom is one of the Deuterocanonical books of the Bible.

Stephen mourned for a very long time over the loss of his son, which took a great toll on his health. He eventually recovered, but never regained his original vitality. Having no children left, he could not find anyone among his remaining relatives who was able to rule the country competently and willing to maintain the Christian faith of the nation. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Unable to choose an heir, King Stephen died on the Feast of the Assumption in 1038 at Székesfehérvár, where he was buried. This article is about the theological concept For the works of art with this title see Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Art and Roman Catholic Marian art. Székesfehérvár (ˈseːkɛʃfɛˈheːrvaːr, colloquial Fehérvár Stuhlweißenburg İstolni Belgrad is a city in central Hungary, located around southwest of His nobles and his subjects were said to have mourned for three straight years afterwards.

Following Stephen's death, his nephew Peter Urseolo (his appointed heir) and brother-in-law Samuel Aba contended for the crown. Peter I the Venetian ( Hungarian: I (Velencei Péter) (c 1010-1015, Venice, Italy &ndash 1046 or 30 August 1059 Samuel Aba ( Hungarian: Aba Sámuel) (? &ndash after 5 July 1044 King of Hungary (1041-1044 Palatine of Hungary (c Nine years of instability followed until Stephen's cousin Andrew I was crowned King of Hungary, re-establishing the Árpád dynasty in 1047. Andrew I the White or the Catholic (I (Fehér/Katolikus András/Endre (c Hungarian historiography saw Peter and Samuel as members of the Árpád dynasty, and both are counted among the Árpád kings.

The Holy Right, the king's right hand

Shortly after Stephen's death, healing miracles were said to have occurred at his tomb. Stephen was canonized by Pope Gregory VII as Saint Stephen of Hungary in 1083, along with his son, Saint Imre and Bishop Gerhard (Hungarian: Szent Gellért). Pope Note There was also a king of Hungary named Imre (Emeric who ruled from 1196 to 1204 Thus Saint Stephen became the first of the canonized confessor kings, a new prototype of saints.

Catholics venerate him as the patron saint of Hungary, kings, the death of children, masons, stonecutters, and bricklayers. His feast day was not included in the Tridentine Calendar. The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints The Tridentine Calendar is the Calendar of saints to be honoured in the official Liturgy of the Roman Rite during the course of the Liturgical year It was added in 1631 to the Roman Calendar as a commemoration in the feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. For earlier forms of the General Roman Calendar see the Tridentine Calendar, the General Roman Calendar as in 1954, General Roman Calendar of Pope Pius Bernard of Clairvaux, OCist ( 1090 - August 20, 1153) was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order In 1687 it was moved to 2 September. Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. In the 1969 revision of the calendar, 16 August became free from other celebrations and the feast of Saint Stephen of Hungary was moved to that date, the day immediately after that of his death. Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting ^[11] However, in Hungary the feast is observed on August 20, the day on which his sacred relics were transferred to the city of Buda. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine This day is a public holiday in Hungary. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic

The king's right hand, known as "The Holy Right", is kept as a relic. His body was mummified after his death, but the tomb was opened and his hand was separated some years later. Except for this, only some bone fragments remained (which are kept in churches throughout Hungary). Catholics honour the first king of their country on annual processions, where the Holy Right is exhibited.

The canonization of Saint Stephen was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in 2000. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I ( Greek: Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαῖος Α' Turkish: Patrik I

The Holy Crown, popularly attributed to St. The Holy Crown of Hungary ( Hungarian: Magyar Szent Korona, German: Stephanskrone, Croatian: Kruna svetoga Stjepana, Stephen, was removed from the country in 1945 for safekeeping, and entrusted to the United States government. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the It was kept in a vault at Fort Knox until 1978, when it was returned to the nation by order of U. The United States Bullion Depository, commonly called Fort Knox is a fortified vault building located near Fort Knox Kentucky which is used to store a large S. President Jimmy Carter. James Earl "Jimmy" Carter Jr (born October 1 1924 was the thirty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981 and the recipient of the 2002 It has been enshrined in the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest since 2000.

Quote

A miniature of the king from the Chronicon Pictum, 1360. The Illuminated Chronicle ( Vienna Illuminated Chronicle, Chronica Hungarorum, Chronicon (Hungariae Pictum, Chronica Picta or

My beloved son, delight of my heart, hope of your posterity, I pray, I command, that at every time and in everything, strengthened by your devotion to me, you may show favor not only to relations and kin, or to the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or neighbors or fellow countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest state of happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice. " Be patient with everyone, not only with the powerful, but also with the weak.

Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.

All these virtues I have noted above make up the royal crown, and without them no one is fit to rule here on earth or attain to the heavenly kingdom.

--Excerpt from Saint Stephen's admonitions to his son Imre.

Saint Stephen on current 10,000 Hungarian Forint banknote

Gyula Benczúr's painting of Saint Stephen's baptism on the banknote commemorating the 1000th year of Hungarian statehood (2000)

Artistic representation

King Stephen of Hungary has been a popular theme in art, especially from the 19th century on, with its development of nationalism. The forint ( Currency code HUF) is the Currency of Hungary. It is divided into 100 Fillér, although fillér coins have not been Gyula Benczúr (1844-1920 was a Hungarian painter and pedagogue The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation Paintings such as The Baptism of Vajk (1875) by Gyula Benczúr and many statues representing the king all over Hungary testify to Stephen's importance in Hungarian national thought. Gyula Benczúr (1844-1920 was a Hungarian painter and pedagogue

The best known representations of St. Stephen in music are Ludwig van Beethoven's King Stephen Overture, and the 1983 rock opera István, a király (Stephen, the King) by Levente Szörényi and János Bródy. Ludwig van Beethoven ( English ˈlʊdvɪg væn ˈbeɪtoʊvən, 16 December 1770 &ndash 26 March 1827 was a German Composer and Pianist. Rock operas, Concept albums Song cycles and Oratorios all differ from a conventional rock album which usually includes songs that are unrelated to each István a király ("Stephen the King" is a Hungarian Rock opera written by Levente Szörényi (music and János Bródy (lyrics Szörényi's Veled, Uram! (With You, Lord! - 2000) was a sequel to István, a király. A sequel is a work in Literature, Film, or other media that portrays events following those of a previous work

References

See also

• Crown of Saint Stephen

External links

• Stephen I, the First Christian Hungarian King (CryingVoice. The Holy Crown of Hungary ( Hungarian: Magyar Szent Korona, German: Stephanskrone, Croatian: Kruna svetoga Stjepana, com)
• His picture on the Hungarian 10,000 forint banknote
• a BBC report on Saint Stephen's day celebrations in Hungary
•   "St. Stephen (2)". Catholic Encyclopedia. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.