Memorial Day of Leopold (Saint Patron of Austria)
Description:
Leopold the Saint of the Babenberg dynasty, patron saint of Austria and Vienna.
Leopold laid the foundations for Austria’s future influence. In 1104 he supported the rebellion of Prince Henry against his father Emperor Henry IV, thus securing the favor of the prince, who in 1105 became the new Holy Roman Emperor.
Henry V married his sister to Leopold, which greatly increased Austria’s authority in the empire.
The peculiarity of Leopold’s state policy was the maintenance of peaceful and friendly relations with all neighbors, the Emperor and the Pope.
Under him, Austria strengthened and expanded its independence within Germany.
Leopold actively supported the church and founded several important monasteries in Austria. This activity led to the canonization of Leopold in 1485.
In 1663 he was declared patron saint of Austria.