Stephen II, Bishop of Zagreb

Stephen II was born between 1190 and 1195. Croatian historian Ivan Kukuljević Sakcinski thought that Stephen originates from the Babonić noble family, while Baltazar Adam Krčelić regards him as a cousin of Prince Coloman and kings Andrew II and Bela IV. Stephen studied at the University of Paris, where, according to Krčelić, he spent twelve years. Upon his return to the homeland in 1224, he was appointed chancellor of Andrew II, and the next year was consecrated as bishop of Zagreb.[1]

During his episcopacy, the diocese of Zagreb saw cultural, educational, and economic flourishing. The foundation of Franciscan, Dominican, Cistercian and Pauline monasteries in Zagreb, Čazma, Virovitica and Ivanić Grad contributed to this advancement. The Dominicans established liberal arts and theology studies for priests and laypeople in their friaries in Zagreb and Čazma. Influenced by his experience in Paris, Stephen II contributed to the education of local clergy and published Liber quaestionum et sententiarum (the Book of Questions and Meanings). Inspired by the ascetic life of the Franciscans and Dominicans, Stephen II solved the issue of the tithe on the benefit of the poor strata.[1]

In 1242, Stephen II was elected Archbishop of Split. His dual jurisdiction would be brought the unity of Croatia (Split) with Slavonia (Zagreb), a move also supported by Coloman, however, Stephen II had to renounce the episcopacy in Split.[1]

Stephen II reorganised the parishes in the Diocese of Zagreb and in 1323 established his capitol in Čazma, where he constructed a nearby settlement of Nova Čazma. He died in Čazma on 8 July 1247.[1]