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St.Stephens Day

St. Stephen’s day is also known as the Feast of Saint Stephen which is celebrated as the second day of Christmas in several countries. In many countries, on December 26 observe the life of St. Stephen.

Christian church officer in Jerusalem who was better known for his status as the first Christian martyr. St. Stephen is also known for his service to the poor.

December 26 holiday is commonly known as Boxing Day, in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, which takes its name from the practice of giving small gifts to household servants on that day for their work throughout the year. 

The tradition of going house-to-house on St. Stephen’s Day survives in many countries, especially in Scandinavia, where the day is observed by visiting friends and going to parties.

In Hungary, August 20 is celebrated as St. Stephen’s Day in honour of when the saint’s relics held holy by Hungarian Catholics was transferred to Budapest.

In 1949 the country’s communist regime promulgated a new constitution on the day with the intent of transforming the Christian-themed holiday into a politically inspired one, which they renamed Constitution Day. 

Following the breakdown of the socialist state in Hungary, be that as it may, the occasion was again celebrated as St. Stephen's Day.

One ritual entails carrying the case containing the relics of St. Stephen’s right hand in processions throughout the streets of Budapest.

More modern festivities include fireworks and parades.

History of St. Stephen's Day

The History behind this day is that there are two Saints called Stephen. St. Stephen's Day on December 26th commemorates St. Stephen who was the first Christian Martyr.

Stephen was a Greek Jew who had converted to Christianity. 

He was appointed as one of seven clerks to help with organizing the early Christian church. In non-Commonwealth countries, the day is more commonly referred to as St Stephen's Day or the Feast of Stephen as mentioned in the carol 'Good King Wenceslas'.

Due to his sermonize about Christianity, he was accused of an offence and stood trial at a Jewish court in about 34 CE. During the trial he made a long speech, saying that Christianity supported the teachings of Moses. 

This so enraged the crowd at the trial, that he was dragged away and stoned to death by a mob.

It is said that the mob was encouraged on by Saul of Tarsus, who later became Saint Paul. 

The other St. Stephen was St. Stephen of Hungary, who was the first king of Hungary and is well known for converting the Magyar people to Christianity.