Stephen I of Hungary

Stephen I of Hungary (c. 975–1038) was the first King of Hungary and is credited with transforming the country into a Christian kingdom. Born as Vajk, he was the son of Grand Prince Géza and was baptized as Stephen, aligning Hungary with Western Christianity. In 1000 or 1001, he was crowned with a papal-approved crown, marking the foundation of the Hungarian state under Christian rule.

Throughout his reign, Stephen centralized power, established dioceses, and implemented laws based on Christian principles to unify his diverse subjects. He successfully defended Hungary from external threats, including invasions by the Holy Roman Empire, securing its sovereignty. Canonized as a saint in 1083, he remains a revered figure in Hungarian history and a symbol of national identity.