Stephen III of Moldavia

Stephen III of Moldavia, commonly known as Stephen the Great, (1433 – July 2, 1504) is Prince of Principality of Moldavia between 1457 and 1504, and the most prominent representative of the House of Mușat.

During his reign, he strengthens Moldavia and maintains its independence against the ambitions of Hungary, Poland, and the Ottoman Empire, which all seek to subdue the land.

Stephen achieves fame in Europe for his long resistance against the Ottomans.

He is victorious in forty-six of his forty-eight battles, and is one of the first to gain a decisive victory over the Ottomans at the Battle of Vaslui, after which Pope Sixtus IV deems him verus christianae fidei athleta (true Champion of Christian Faith).

He is a man of religion and displays his piety when he pays the debt of Mount Athos to the Porte, ensuring the continuity of Athos as an autonomous monastical community.

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