St. Stephen I, King of Hungary, also known as Stephen the Great, was the first King of Hungary and is celebrated as a confessor of the faith. Born around 975 AD in Esztergom, Hungary, he was originally named Vajk. Stephen was baptized by St. Adalbert of Prague, taking the name Stephen in honor of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.
Stephen ascended to the throne in 1000 AD after the death of his father, Duke Géza. His reign marked the beginning of Hungary as a Christian nation. He worked tirelessly to spread Christianity throughout his kingdom, establishing churches and monasteries and inviting missionaries to educate his people in the faith. One of his most significant achievements was the establishment of the Archdiocese of Esztergom, which became the center of Christian life in Hungary.
St. Stephen also enacted laws to strengthen the Christian moral and social order in his kingdom. He is known for his efforts to protect the poor and his dedication to justice and charity. His life exemplified the virtues of a Christian ruler who sought to govern with wisdom and a deep sense of responsibility towards his people.
He died on August 15, 1038, and was canonized by Pope Gregory VII in 1083. St. Stephen is revered not only as a national hero of Hungary but also as a model Christian monarch. His feast day is celebrated on August 16th in the Roman Catholic Church, the day after the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.