St. Stephen’s Day in Switzerland ― Date, History, and Details
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History of St. Stephen’s Day in Switzerland and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In Switzerland, St. Stephen’s Day is celebrated on December 26. It is a public holiday and many businesses are closed.
St. Stephen’s Day is a religious holiday that commemorates the life of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Saint Stephen was stoned to death for his beliefs in Jerusalem in the year AD 36. His feast day is celebrated on December 26 in Western Christianity, and on December 27 in Eastern Christianity.
In Switzerland, St. Stephen’s Day is mainly a religious holiday. Catholic churches hold special masses and services to honor Saint Stephen. Many people also visit the graves of their loved ones on this day.
Some Swiss towns and villages hold traditional processions called “Klausjagen” on St. Stephen’s Day. In these processions, men dressed as Saint Nicholas and Krampus visit homes to give children candy and sweets. Klausjagen is a popular tradition in the canton of Zurich.
In some parts of Switzerland, groups of young people go door-to-door on St. Stephen’s Day singing Christmas carols. They often collect money for charity. This tradition is called “Schellenringen” and is popular in the canton of Bern.