Stephen

patron saint

There are several figures to be found in a number of unevenly ordered niches above the giant’s door in the west facade. Among them a griffin overpowering a lamb, Samson fighting a lion and, top left, the patron saint of the church, St. Stephen.

Why is the Romanesque church of 1147 dedicated to this particular saint? Perhaps because St. Stephen is the first Christian martyr, having been stoned to death in Jerusalem in 40 CE? He also occupies an important date in the Christian calendar from the 6th century onwards; the Roman Emperor Justinian dedicates the second Christmas holiday, December 26, to St. Stephen at the Constantinople Council of 533.

But we do have another, much simpler explanation: in the 12th century Vienna is still part of the Passau diocese, whose bishop is responsible for choosing the patron saint of the new church. And he chooses the saint to which the major church in Passau is dedicated, Stephanus.