Hungary honors St. Stephen with cross of light in the sky

On Sunday, August 20, Hungary was celebrating St. Stephen. It’s the date on which the holy King of Hungary was canonized in 1083. In addition to the usual fireworks displays, Hungarians were treated to a unique spectacle. Drones formed a gigantic cross in the Budapest skies in front of the Hungarian Parliament.

The Christian faith remains firmly rooted in Hungary. Pope Francis paid tribute to the Hungarian people in May 2023, at the end of his apostolic visit to the country from April 28 to 30. 

The Cross stands while the world turns.

So too Hungary🇭🇺,

which today celebrated the 1,023rd anniversary of its christening as a state by St. Stephen.✝️

Here’s to another thousand years on that solid foundation!💫 pic.twitter.com/VbYgS92Duk

— Gladden Pappin (@gjpappin) August 20, 2023

During his reign, Stephen I chose to dedicate his kingdom to the Virgin Mary. He put all his energy into spreading Christianity in his lands, notably by founding bishoprics and monasteries. In 996, he married St. Gisele, sister of Emperor Henry II of Germany. Together they had several children, only one of whom grew to adulthood: Emeric, also a saint.

Read more:St. Stephen of Hungary’s greatest treasure was his Catholic faith

Read more:The great saints who built Hungary