Saint Stephen's Day

Saint Stephen's Day Quick Facts - IE

AKA NameFeast of Saint Stephen, Lá Fhéile Stiofáin
HashtagsCompiled on#StStephensDay
Related Hashtags#Ireland, #Family, #ClubZap
2022 DateDecember 26, 2022
2023 DateDecember 26, 2023
Saint Stephen's Day

Saint Stephen's Day History

St Stephen’s Day commemorates Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death shortly after Christ was crucified. Saint Stephen was martyred for his devotion to God and his passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity. He was the first of Jesus’ disciples to receive the martyr’s crown. As a deacon for the Church, Stephen took care of the sick and the poor and widowed. As deacon he carried out many of God’s miracles.

St Stephen’s Day is celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. The holiday has been celebrated for centuries, but in many countries it is now celebrated as Boxing Day or Wren Day.

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Saint Stephen's Day Facts & Quotes

  • The name Stephen is Greek and in Act 6 of The Bible, it says that Saint Stephen is a Hellenist, which means that he is a foreign-born Jew who spoke Greek.
  • The name Stephen (Greek: Stefanos) means crown or wreath.
  • There are three major branches of Christianity: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant. Roman Catholic has approximately 1.2 billion members; Protestant has 800 million and Eastern Orthodox 300 million.
  • As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them; and when he said this, he fell asleep. - (Acts of the Apostles, 7:55-60)
  • You desire that which exceeds my humble powers, but I trust in the compassion and mercy of the All-powerful God. – Saint Stephen.

Saint Stephen's Day Top Events and Things to Do

  • Hunt a wren (a small bird). This is an old tradition from Ireland where young boys would go out and hunt a wren until they either killed the bird or it died from exhaustion. Once dead it was tied atop a pole or bush and decorated.
  • Watch a movie about Christianity. Some of our favourites are: Passion of the Christ (2004), Jesus (1979), and Son of God (2014).
  • Visit the statue of St Stephen in Budapest, Hungary. Hungary is one of the largest celebrators of St Stephen’s Day, and every year there is a large celebration held at the St Stephen statue to commemorate him.
  • Take part in the Putignano carnival celebration in Italy. It is the oldest carnival in Europe and one in the town where St Stephen’s remains are supposedly housed.
  • Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtag #StStephenDay, #Wren Day and #SaintStephen.

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