General Notes

Stephen I, also called St. Stephen (975?-1038), first king of Hungary, founder of the ArpÏd dynasty. A pagan at birth, he was converted to Christianity in his youth. He became duke of Hungary in 997. Shortly thereafter a pagan revolt broke out in several Hungarian provinces; Stephen immediately attacked the insurgents and defeated them at Veszprém. He was crowned king in 1001; on the occasion of his coronation Pope Sylvester II sent a crown from Rome and accorded him the title "Apostolic Majesty," which was borne by Hungarian sovereigns until the overthrow of the Hungarian monarchy in 1918. His reign was notable for the propagation of Christianity and the suppression of paganism throughout Hungary. He was canonized in 1083 and became the patron saint of Hungary. His feast day is August 16.