December 26, St. Stephen: who was he and why is it celebrated today?

December 26 is a public holiday in many parts of the world, known as Boxing Day in Catholic countries and as Boxing Day in the Anglo-Saxon ones.

This day is full of meaning, both religious and social, but its origin and the traditions that accompany it vary from nation to nation.

Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr

In seeds Catholic and some Protestant churches, December 26 is dedicated to Saint Stephen, considered the first martyr of Christianity. The name “Stephen” comes from the Greek “στεφανος” (stéphanos), which means “crown” or “crowned”, a symbol of his spiritual victory as a martyr. Today, Saint Stephen is the patron saint of deacons, bakers and those who suffer from headaches. His main iconographic symbols are the palm and stones, which recall the martyrdom he suffered.

The Feast of St. Stephen in Europe

In many countries, such as Italy, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania, December 26 is a recognized holiday.

In Italy, this holiday has been a public holiday since 1949, although the decision to make it so is not of a religious nature. Unlike Christmas, in fact, December 26 is not linked to an ecclesiastical precept, but was established to ensure an extension of rest and family celebrations in a period of great spiritual importance. This choice reflects a social and cultural need, rather than a purely religious one.

in this Anglo-Saxon countries, like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, December 26 is known as Boxing Day. Although the exact origin of the term is uncertain, one of the most popular theories links the name to the tradition of giving boxes containing gifts or money to the less fortunate, a practice that dates back to the Middle Ages. On Boxing Day, employers would give gifts to their employees or make offerings to the poor. Today, Boxing Day is mostly associated with shopping, with big sales and bargains in stores, but it also retains a connection with sport, particularly football and horse racing, which are common on this day in the United Kingdom.

So, December 26th is a date that unites spirituality, tradition and modernity. Whether celebrated as Boxing Day or Boxing Day, it is an opportunity to reflect on the values ​​of sharing and remembering, and to spend time with family and friends, extending the festive atmosphere of Christmas.