Saint Stephen's Day

High school (ages 12+)
Holidays & Celebrations

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/saint-stephen-s-day

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the commemorated figure?Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr
2. What is the western church feast date?December 26th
3. Why is it celebrated after Christmas?It follows Christmas to connect the birth of Jesus with the sacrifice of Saint Stephen, reminding people of faith and courage.
4. How is Saint Stephen's Day different in Ireland?In parts of Ireland and the Isle of Man it is called Wren Day, where people parade a decorated wren and enjoy music and dance.

Protomartyr: The first individual to suffer death for advocating or defending a belief, particularly religious.
Christmastide: The liturgical season of Christmas, typically encompassing the twelve days from Christmas Day to Epiphany.
Boxing Day: A holiday observed on December 26th, originating from the tradition of giving gifts to servants and the poor, now often associated with retail sales and sporting events.
Julian Calendar: A calendar introduced by Julius Caesar, which was the standard in Europe and the Americas for over 1,600 years, but is now considered outdated due to its slight inaccuracy in tracking the solar year.