St. Stephen's Day in Hungary
Description:
In 1000, the first king of Hungary, Stephen, was crowned on this day, laying the foundations of a European-style Christian Hungarian state. At the behest of Pope George, who canonized King Istvan, this day became a holiday in 1083.
Despite the importance of this date for every Hungarian patriot, there were many periods in the history of the country when celebrations on this day were strictly forbidden. For example, this was the case after the suppression of the “Hungarian Spring” by the combined forces of Austria and Russia in 1848, as well as when Hungary was among the socialist countries. St. Stephen’s Day became an official state holiday only in 1991.
All over the country, the celebrations are very magnificent, with a parade, orchestras. The Esztergom Cardinal serves Mass in the Budapest Cathedral (Basilica) of St. Stephen, where the relics of the king's right hand are located. After mass, a solemn procession carries the relics to the city. The holiday ends with an impressive fireworks display on Mount Gellert above the night Danube.
There was once a harvest festival on this day. The folk tradition of celebrating it still exists today. Traditionally, on this day in the villages weave wreaths of ears, bake the first bread from the flour of a new harvest, all this is consecrated in the church, and then the loaf is solemnly cut and savored.