St. Stephen the Great of Moldavia
St. Stephen the Great (c. 1433-1504) succeeded his murdered father, Prince Bogdan II, as Voievod of Moldavia in 1457 and ruled for forty-seven years, defending his land and all of Christendom against Ottoman invasion, most famously at the Battle of Vaslui in 1475.
A spiritual son of St. Daniel the Hesychast, who counseled him to build a church after every battle, he won forty-seven battles and raised forty-eight churches and monasteries, among them Putna Monastery, where he is buried. He helped the poor, forgave those who wronged him, and after a glorious reign fell asleep in the Lord on July 2, 1504; the Romanian Orthodox Church glorified him as a saint in 1992.
If Moldavia falls, this gate of Christendom, all of Christendom will be in great danger.
Troparion · Tone 2
O right-believing Prince Stephen, the Church of Christ had you as a fearless defender of the true Faith; for this reason all the people have called you great, good, and holy, and have honored you. By your prayers to God, we always have you as the strengthener of our Orthodox Faith and the protector of our country.
Kontakion · Tone 1
By truly loving God, O glorious Stephen, you built holy churches and monasteries; you helped the poor and forgave those who wronged you. Because of your deeds, God endowed you with wisdom and the power to overcome the enemies of your country and of the Christian Faith. Therefore, we honor you and call you Father.
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