St. Stephen of Hungary
Feast day: August 16
The son of the Magyar chieftain Geza, Stephen succeeded him as the leader in 997. Raised a Christian, he wed the daughter of Duke Henry II of Bavaria and devoted much of his reign to the promotion of the Christian faith. Stephen helped build churches and was a proponent of the rights of the Holy See. He helped crush the pagan counterreaction to Christianity, and in recognition of his efforts, he was appointed king of Hungary, receiving the cross and crown from Pope Sylvester II. Stephen died in 1038 and was canonized in 1083 by Pope St. Gregory VII. He is patron of Hungary.
Collect
Grant your Church, we pray, almighty God,
that she may have Saint Stephen of Hungary,
who fostered her growth while a king on earth,
as her glorious defender in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
