“Might makes right” “grab everything you can get.” “The strongest person gets the best.” :Don’t try to cooperate-try to win!” Do you ever hear these attitudes from other kids, or even coaches?
The people who settled near the Danube River in the 10th century thought that way. They were a violent and superstitious people. Often one of these tribes would invade a part of Western Europe, destroying property and stealing anything of value. Thre tribes themselves were separate from one another and fought among themselves or took revenge for some offense.
The national leader of these people was Geza. When Geza’s son, Vajk, was born, people expected the boy to take his father’s place as leader of this area called Hungary. Then Geza and his son learned about Jesus Christ and Christianity. They were both baptized. Vajk received Stephen as his baptismal name. As a young adult, Stephen married a girl named Gisela. When Geza died, Stephen had to lead the country. He wanted all the Hungarian people to become Christians. First he asked Pope Sylvester II if he could be a king instead of a national leader like his father. The pope agreed and sent a special crown, which still exists today. In 1000 on Christmas day, Stephen was crowned the first king of Hungary. Then as king, he made unity a special goal and brought the various tribes into one nation. Hoping to plant Christianity in the hearts of the Hungarian people, he made three other important decisions. He invited the Benedictine monks of Germany and Italy to come as missionaries to his people. He built churches and had them decorated with sculptures, colorful mosaics, and murals depicting truths of the Catholic faith. He encouraged the people to come to the churches and to value their local priests. Stephen was very popular with the poor. He often went among them giving donations. One time the crowd of beggars became so excited that they knocked him to the ground. But Stephen laughed and assured them that he would continue to share his wealth with them. Stephen’s love for the poor also kept his officials from getting too powerful and abusing the poor and the weak.
Stephen counted on his son Emeric to take his place as king when he died. Stephen is believed to have written mirror of Princes in order to explain to his son how to be a Christian king. However, young Emeric was killed in a hunting accident, and Stephen faced many family quarrels over who should be the next king. Stephen was buried at the Church of our Lady of Buda in Hungary. He was an outstanding leader, a dedicated Christian, and a strong defender of the Church. He is the patron saint of Hungary.
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