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 Saul of Tarsus, later Saint Paul the Apostle, Stephen’s life ended sometime around 35 A.D.
Stephens is often characterized as wearing a crown and being enclosed by three stones. He is most unique for having voluntarily given his life for loss of Christ offering no defence for himself. As a saint of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Church, he is a supporter of stonemasons, casket makers, sufferers of headaches, horses and deacons. Known for his giving nature towards the poor of the city, St. Stephen’s Day is observed by different nations on the day after Christmas. However, St. Stephen’s Feast Day is commemorated, but not celebrated like other festive seasons. St. Stephen’s Day is only observed in Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin in Alsace and in the Lorraine department of Moselle.
Flowers for St. Stephen’s Day
Nowadays, people are used to the custom of giving flowers for St. Stephen’s day as it expresses their feelings for the occasion being celebrated. Exhibiting feelings in words and before everybody was not considered as good manners during the Victorian era, and hence, people used subtle means to demonstrate their feelings in the form of presenting flowers or bouquets.
Typical St. Stephens Day Cuisine
Typically, people belonging to 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 beverages.