On August 20 / September 2, 2000, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate canonized King Stephen. In August 2007, the name of Saint Stephen of Hungary was included in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church. Saint Stephen is the most revered of Hungarian saints, and his personality had a key influence on the spread and strengthening of Christianity in Hungary.
Prehistory
The territory of modern Hungary was occupied by the nomadic tribes of the Hungarians during their migration in 896. The Hungarian tribes were initially pagans, but already in the 9th century, during their advance from the Northern Caucasus, they encountered Christian preachers. Thus, in 860, a group of Hungarians in Chersonesus listened to the sermons of Saint Constantine-Cyril. In 880, Saint Methodius met with the Hungarians. The Christians-Slavs who were settled on the territory of future Hungary must also have had an influence on the Hungarians.
The first half of the 10th century was marked by constant raids of the Hungarians on Western Europe and Byzantium. After a series of devastating defeats, the leaders of the Hungarians had to seek ways of reconciliation. Relations began to be established both with the Byzantine Empire and with the German principalities, as well as with the papal throne.
By the middle of the 10th century, the Hungarians began to seek an alliance with Byzantium, a peace treaty was concluded, and the Hungarian leaders were baptized in Constantinople. The systematic preaching of the Eastern Christian Church began on the territory of Hungary.
Parents of Saint Stephen
The family of Saint Stephen at the time of his birth was already closely connected with Christianity, specifically Eastern, Byzantine Christianity. The grandfather of Saint Stephen on his mother’s side, Prince Gyula (baptized as Stephen), the second most influential ruler in Hungary in the eastern part, had already accepted baptism in Constantinople in the 30s-40s of the 10th century and received the rank of patriarch from the Byzantine emperor.
According to a 12th-century Russian source, Prince Gyula “died filled with true Christian faith, performed many deeds pleasing to God, and departed to the Kingdom of God.”
Charlotte, the mother of Saint Stephen, the daughter of Gyula, was also converted to Christianity and was raised in a Christian spirit. After her marriage to the Hungarian prince Geza, she converted him to Christianity and brought him to baptism.
The father of Saint Stephen, Prince Geza, having turned from paganism to the Gospel, wished to spread it among all his people, but he did not succeed in this, although all his military leaders accepted Christianity during his reign.
Birth of the Saint and Ascension to the Throne
The promised son – Saint Stephen – was born in 979 or 980. At the age of three, the child, who had previously borne the pagan name Vajk, was baptized and received the name Stephen (in Hungarian István) at baptism. The baptism apparently took place according to the Greek rite.
For dynastic reasons, in 996, Saint Stephen married the Bavarian duchess Gisela. The accompanying priests and monks began active preaching work in Hungary.
After the death of his father and his ascension to the princely throne in 997, Saint Stephen set before himself the tasks of strengthening the state and ensuring the victory of Christianity in Hungary.
Acceptance of Royal Power
According to later legends, at the end of the year 1000, Pope Sylvester II crowned Saint Stephen as king. The acceptance of the crown from the pope was primarily a political step.
Baptism of Hungary
After the coronation, Saint Stephen continued the course of baptizing Hungary. He engaged in organizing preaching activities and building churches.
Saint Stephen fully supported the efforts of Christian preachers, but, unlike his father, did not use force in this.
Saint Stephen's Laws
The baptism of Hungary was also consolidated at the legislative level in the so-called laws of Saint Stephen, most of which were dedicated to church affairs.
Personal Piety of Saint Stephen
In his service, Saint Stephen was forced to bear in a country populated by 120 different tribes, a “unbridled people.” Pagan priesthood resisted the introduction of Christianity.
Instructions to His Son
The character of Saint Stephen is well reflected in his instructions to his heir: “Rule gently, with humility, peacefully, without malice and hatred!”
Relations with the Eastern Church
The acceptance of the crown from the pope did not mean a rupture with Byzantium and the Eastern Church. It had, above all, political reasons.
End of the Righteous King
The last years of Saint Stephen's life were overshadowed by the death of his son – the heir Duke Imre. Before his own death, Saint Stephen solemnly entrusted the Church of Hungary and the country itself under the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Thus it happened: the righteous Stephen departed to the Lord on August 15, 1038, and was buried with a massive outpouring of the people in the crypt of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos together with his son Duke Imre.
