St. Stephen's Day Research Paper

Introduction

While not considered a public holiday throughout the rest of France, it is kept as one in France's Alsace-Moselle region. Bearing in mind that the holiday is not typically kept as a festive day of activities and celebrations, it's best to remember the origin of this ancient holiday.

Historical Background

As an early convert to Christianity in the first known church setting in Jerusalem, Stephen was tried for blasphemy against God, Moses and for speaking against the Jewish Temple and the Law. Tragically, not one of the charges was true, and he became the first known martyr of the newly formed Christian Church.

Stoned to death under the supervision of then unconverted Saul or Taursus, later Saint Paul the Apostle, Stephen's …show more content…
He is most distinguished for having voluntarily given his life for the cause of Christ offering no defense for himself. As a saint of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Church, he is patron of stonemasons, casket makers, sufferers of headaches, horses and deacons.

Known for his generosity towards the poor of the city, St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by various nations on December 26, the day after Christmas.

St. Stephen's Feast Day Commemorated But Not Celebrated

Unlike other festive occasions in France and elsewhere, this day is rather subdued in comparison. Honored the day after Christmas, the feast day falls on December 26th, the second of the Twelve Days of Christmas as the second of two public holidays. However, it is only honored in Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin in Alsace and in the Lorraine département of Moselle. The rest of France, however, does not stop working.(1)

Typical Feast Day Cuisine:

Typically, people of those countries commemorating this holiday spend time with close family and friends as they enjoy their meals together. Because the day falls on the day after Christmas, leftover turkey or ham is served along with quality regional wine

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