Saint Stephen I was Grand Prince of the Magyars (997-1001) and the first King of Hungary (1001-1038). He greatly expanded Hungarian control over the Carpathian Basin during his lifetime, broadly established Christianity in the region, and he is generally considered to be the founder of Hungary. Stephen I was canonized, together with his son and Bishop Gerard of Csanad, on August 20, 1083, becoming one of the most popular saints in Hungary.