20 August – King Saint Stephen and the Foundation of the State: A Thousand Years of Loyalty, Faith, and Responsibility

20 August – one of our most ancient and most profound celebrations.

It is not only the commemoration of the birth of the Hungarian state, but also a tribute to the life’s work of a man of great stature – King Saint Stephen. A ruler who not only received a crown, but also forged a nation. Each year, on this day, we pause: with bread in hand, beneath the flag, in the light of fireworks, or to the sound of church bells. Yet perhaps we seldom ask ourselves:

what is it, in truth, that we are celebrating? And who, in truth, was King Saint Stephen?

Let us now move beyond the trappings and delve deeper – guided by little-known yet fascinating details that bring us closer to Stephen’s true legacy, and perhaps, to ourselves as well.

The Beginnings: From Vajk to Stephen

1. Saint Stephen’s birth name was Vajk – an ancient name, probably of Turkic origin, which may have meant “leader” or “hero.” In the spirit of “Christian rebirth,” he adopted the name “Stephen” (Stephenus), in reference to the first Christian martyr.

   
   

2. The exact date of his coronation remains uncertain – either 25 December 1000 or 1 January 1001. In both cases, the symbolism is significant: Christmas marking the birth of the Saviour, and New Year symbolising a new beginning.

3. The crown may not, in fact, have been sent by the Pope – although tradition holds that it was the crown of Pope Sylvester II sent from Rome, it is more likely that it arrived through the mediation of Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor. This was a masterstroke of diplomacy on Stephen’s part, balancing between East and West, Pope and Emperor.

4. The crown we now revere as the Holy Crown is in fact much later – consisting of two separate parts (Greek and Latin elements), it attained its present form around the 12th century. Therefore, Stephen almost certainly never wore this crown.

Blood and Law – The Birth of the State

5. The founding of the state was not without bloodshed – the quartering of Koppány, the defeat of Gyula, the crushing of Ajtony: these were all internal conflicts that served to consolidate Stephen’s power. The new order could only be realised through the destruction of the old.

6. Koppány’s dismembered body was sent to the four corners of the realm – Veszprém, Győr, Transylvania, and Esztergom each received a part. Unthinkable to us today, this was then a political message: the order of the Christian state extended to all.

7.The division of the country into counties was Stephen’s invention – the county system, which lasted for over 900 years, originated under his rule. It was one of the earliest examples of modern administration in Europe.

8.The first law codes – Stephen created two codices that laid down the foundations of the Christian order: the prohibition of work on Sundays, the obligation to build churches, the payment of tithes, and the ban on pagan customs.

King, Saint, Legacy-Builder

9.His wife, Giselle of Bavaria, played a key role – not only as queen but as a true co-founder of the state. She founded monasteries, brought in missionary priests, and according to legend, personally embroidered a chasuble for the Church.

10.The work known as the “Instructions” is unique in European literature – written to his son, Prince Imre, it contains teachings still relevant today: “A country with one language and one custom is weak and fragile.” Early Christian humanism, tolerance, and wisdom.

11.The tragic death of Prince Imre – a hunting accident ended the heir’s life. At this point, Stephen, having exhausted all human means, dedicated his country to the Virgin Mary. This act has since been preserved by the Hungarian people as the nation’s spiritual root.

12.In 1083, Stephen was canonised – when his tomb was opened, his right hand was found intact, which has since been known as the “Holy Right” and remains one of our most treasured relics. The hand was kept hidden for centuries before being returned to Hungary.

13. The Holy Right has had a long and adventurous journey – during the Turkish occupation, it was kept by the Dominican friars in Ragusa, and later was repurchased by the Habsburgs. Today, it is displayed in St Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest.

14. The date of his canonisation – 20 August – was not always a public holiday. For centuries, commemorations took place on other days; it was only in the 18th century that 20 August became fixed as the date, though in 1949 the communist regime attempted to reframe it as the “Festival of New Bread.”

15. The St Stephen’s Day procession is an old tradition – spectacular religious parades were held on this day as early as the Middle Ages. Although banned in the 20th century, it is now once again celebrated annually in Budapest.

16. After Stephen’s death, the country remained unstable for 70 years – pagan uprisings, disputes over the throne, and interventions from German and Byzantine powers: the founding of the state did not end the turbulent century, but only provided a framework for it.

Why Saint Stephen’s Legacy Matters Today

Saint Stephen’s decision—to lead his people onto the path of Christianity, the rule of law, and European integration—was not merely a historical act but a choice of values. Today, as the world drifts once again without clear values, and the spiritual foundations of Europe seem to waver, it is especially important to revisit and reinterpret his message.

We still see how:

In this historic moment, it is vital to return to Saint Stephen’s legacy: loyalty, faith, and responsibility. Not only to preserve what he left us but to make it a living reality in our daily decisions, communal life, and national identity.

20 August is not just a celebration of the past—it is a pledge to the future. Saint Stephen calls on us today: let us be worthy of our past and responsible for our future!

Long live Hungary!