The Diocese of Allentown recently celebrated the feast day of St. Stephen of Hungary.

“St. Stephen, a King, an Evangelist, and a devout Catholic, pray for us!” the diocese said in an Aug. 16 Facebook post. 

St. Stephen was born circa the year 970 in Hungary, a Britannica report said. He was born a pagan, but he was baptized while young and brought up as a Christian. In his 20s, he married Gisela, who was the daughter of Duke Henry II of Bavaria and the sister of Henry II, the future Holy Roman Emperor. 

After St. Stephen’s father died, he battled an insurrection and was then crowned the first king of Hungary, Britannica said. Stephen is considered the founder of the Hungarian state. 

St. Stephen, as a leader, devoted much of his time to promoting the Christian faith throughout Hungary, supporting Church leaders and the construction of churches; a Catholic.org report said. He is the patron saint of Hungary, and Catholics celebrate his feast day each year on Aug. 16. 

As part of his work to support the Church and the poor, St. Stephen established a tithing system throughout Hungary; Franciscan Media said. He selected one town out of every ten to construct a church and support a priest. He also fought against paganism in Hungary.