The commemoration of Stephen, the first martyr, on the day after Christmas.
Dates
| Year | Dates | Reckoning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 26, 2025 | ||
| 2026 | December 26, 2026 |
Recurrence: Gregorian fixed date.
Significance
St. Stephen's Day, on December 26, commemorates the first Christian martyr, the deacon Stephen, who was stoned to death in Jerusalem as Saul of Tarsus looked on. The feast stands immediately after Christmas in the sanctoral cycle, the first of the companions of Christ kept in these days. In Britain and the Commonwealth the day is widely known as Boxing Day.
Observance
Mass commemorates the protomartyr, and the day is widely kept as Boxing Day, traditionally a day for gifts to servants and the poor.
Also Known As
Saint Stephen's Day, Boxing Day