The passing into nonexistence of the ruler Stefan cel Mare si Sfant is commemorated today, July 2nd. The Voivode died on July 2nd, 1504, and today marks 521 years since his death, reports IPN.
Stefan cel Mare was one of the most important rulers of Moldova, who led for 47 years (1457–1504). He waged over 40 wars and battles, was characterized by historians as a great defender of Christianity in the Balkans, and a founder of churches and monasteries in Moldova, Wallachia, and Transylvania.
According to the resources of the “Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Stefan cel Mare is the son of Bogdan II and his wife Oltea. He was most likely born in 1438. After the death of his father, Stefan took refuge in Transylvania, ruled by Iancu of Hunedoara, where he became familiar with his military tactics, which combined elements of military art from the east, center, and west of Europe.
With a military force provided by Vlad Tepes, to which were added his partisans from southern Moldova, Stefan cel Mare defeated Petru Aron at Doljesti (Dolhesti), seizing the throne of Moldova on April 12, 1457. He found a impoverished country, torn apart by the fights between various claimants to the rule of Moldova, a country that had been paying tribute to the Turks since 1456.
Under such circumstances, the ruler had to initiate extensive measures to rectify the socio-economic situation. To ensure the political support necessary for stable governance, Stefan cel Mare eliminated the tendencies of the great nobility towards anarchy and disobedience to central power, favored the economic consolidation of the free peasantry (the yeomen), encouraged the merchant class and external trade links.
In addition, he paid special attention to the traditional military structures of the country (the “small army” – a permanent military structure, and the “large army” – called only in case of external attack), advocating for the introduction of more rigorous discipline and improved equipment. His military measures also aimed at strengthening the country’s defensive capacity, through the consolidation and modernization of the fortresses of Hotin, Tighina, Soroca, Chilia, Cetatea Alba, Suceava, Neamt, Craciuna.
The economic prosperity of the country allowed Stefan cel Mare to implement a policy of constructing religious buildings, which played a significant cultural-artistic, as well as military role. This achievement is considered the most enduring of the voivode’s reign.
His qualities as an organizer, protector of culture and promoter of Orthodoxy, diplomat and military leader, were recognized both domestically and internationally during his lifetime, enduring both the passage of time and the analyses of modern historiography. At the same time, these qualities have become a central subject of popular tradition. According to this, the voivode is called “the Saint”, being attributed supernatural qualities, including that of defending his country and his people, even after his death. This popular belief was officially consecrated in June 1992, through the decision to canonize Stephen the Great adopted by the Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Stefan cel Mare was married three times, and from his last marriage resulted his legitimate son, Bogdan III. He also had illegitimate children, the most well-known being Petru Rares, who later became the ruler of Moldova.
In the name of Stefan cel Mare, Romania and the Republic of Moldova have boulevards, institutions, monuments, schools, and military units, for example: the monument of Stefan cel Mare and the Boulevard of Stefan cel Mare si Sfant in Chisinau, the Order of “Stefan cel Mare” – a state military distinction in the Republic of Moldova, museums and memorial houses dedicated to Stefan cel Mare, especially in Suceava and Putna.
Stefan cel Mare died at nearly 66 years old, after a long suffering probably caused by a severe illness, such as cancer or gout. He was buried at the Putna Monastery, which he had founded and chosen as the royal necropolis.
