Stephen the Great: Romania's Warrior Saint

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the life and legacy of Stephen the Great, the 15th-century Moldavian prince who defended his realm against the Ottoman Empire, Hungary, and Poland. They discuss his military campaigns, including the famous Battle of Vaslui in 1475, where he led a desperate charge against overwhelming odds. The conversation also covers his complex relationship with the Orthodox Church, his building of over 40 churches and monasteries (several now UNESCO sites), and the controversial question of his sainthood. Special attention is given to the siege of Cetatea Neamțului, a fortress that Stephen famously reinforced, and the legend of his thirty-three months of fasting. Lucas brings in primary sources, including Polish chronicler Jan Długosz, and reflects on how Stephen's image has been used in modern Romanian nationalism. The episode ends with a meditation on the tension between Stephen's piety and his ruthless political tactics.

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