S. Stephen of Hungary with S. Emeric Poster

Crowned as the first Christian king of Hungary on Christmas Day in the year 1000, St. Stephen's conversion represents a turning-point in the history of Europe. His reign was marked by consolidation in both the spiritual and temporal realms, as he helped found several of Hungary's dioceses, encouraged church-building, and oversaw the expansion of his domains into Transylvania and the Banat. His wife, Blessed Gisele, was the sister of the Emperor S. Henry II and also notably pious in her own right, His chosen heir was his son, Emeric (Latinized as Americus), who he had taken great pains to educate in the ways of holy kingship, but Emeric was kiled by a boar while hunting before he could rule. Miracles followed at his son's tomb, though the death nonetheless broke the saint's health and heart. Deprived of a quiet retirement without his heir, he died on August 15, 1038, leaving his kingdom and people to the care of the Virgin Mary. His crown remains one of the principal symbols of Hungary, and the nation's rulers bore the title of Apostolic King until 1918. He is patron saint of Hungary and Hungarians, stonemasons, bricklayers, and of warding off the deaths of children.