King St. Stephen of Hungary in Esztergom Source: Wikimedia Commons
August 2018
Near the end of every summer season, August 20th marks Hungary’s National Holiday akin to the American Fourth of July. The Magyars are said to have settled in the Carpathian Basin late in the 9th Century AD. However, the Hungarian State was only officially established in 1,000 AD by Stephen I as a strictly Christian nation. His father Géza had worked to promote Christianity, knowing that it would help enforce and preserve a Hungarian way of life, unlike the nomadic and pagan ways of their past. But it was Stephen who took the religion seriously and knew that only by adopting it full force would the young country of Hungary be given equal status in the eyes of other Western kingdoms.
With this in mind, Stephen asked for a crown not from the Holy Roman Emperor but from Pope Sylvester II himself. He was crowned on December 25th, 1,000, after defeating one relative backed by various pagan leaders. The crown is famous for having been safely hidden in 1945 at Fort Knox over in the US and was returned in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. Today it is housed in a glass case inside Hungary’s Parliament in the capital of Budapest.
Stephen I had a peaceful and productive reign, uniting the Carpathian Basin, creating a system of local administrators via counties throughout the country, and ruling independently of the Holy Roman Empire. He dedication to the Church was paramount, and in 1,083 Pope Gregory VII canonized him.
The day is commemorated around the country with numerous festivals, concerts, and fairs celebrating Hungarian food, music, art, and more. The holiday has become a major tourist draw, especially over a long weekend such as this year (2018). August 20th itself always ends with a spectacular fireworks show over the Danube river, choreographed to a symphonic score and televised for all Hungarians to proudly watch.
Near the end of every summer season, August 20th marks Hungary’s National Holiday akin to the American Fourth of July. The Magyars are said to have settled in the Carpathian Basin late in the 9th Century AD. However, the Hungarian State was only officially established in 1,000 AD by Stephen I as a strictly Christian nation. His father Géza had worked to promote Christianity, knowing that it would help enforce and preserve a Hungarian way of life, unlike the nomadic and pagan ways of their past. But it was Stephen who took the religion seriously and knew that only by adopting it full force would the young country of Hungary be given equal status in the eyes of other Western kingdoms.
With this in mind, Stephen asked for a crown not from the Holy Roman Emperor but from Pope Sylvester II himself. He was crowned on December 25th, 1,000, after defeating one relative backed by various pagan leaders. The crown is famous for having been safely hidden in 1945 at Fort Knox over in the US and was returned in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. Today it is housed in a glass case inside Hungary’s Parliament in the capital of Budapest.
Stephen I had a peaceful and productive reign, uniting the Carpathian Basin, creating a system of local administrators via counties throughout the country, and ruling independently of the Holy Roman Empire. He dedication to the Church was paramount, and in 1,083 Pope Gregory VII canonized him.
The day is commemorated around the country with numerous festivals, concerts, and fairs celebrating Hungarian food, music, art, and more. The holiday has become a major tourist draw, especially over a long weekend such as this year (2018). August 20th itself always ends with a spectacular fireworks show over the Danube river, choreographed to a symphonic score and televised for all Hungarians to proudly watch.
The Holy Crown of St. Stephen at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest Source: Wikimedia Commons
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