MIRACULOUS MIRACLES™

Saint — Stephen the Protomartyr

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St. Stephen the Protomartyr
Late 1st century BC – early 1st century AD — c. AD 34, Jerusalem
First Martyr of the Christian Church
Basilica of St. Stephen, Jerusalem, Israel
Feast
December 26
✠ MartyrStoned to death outside the gates of Jerusalem after his trial before the Sanhedrin, c. AD 34 — the first martyr → The Martyrs
Life

Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to assist with the daily distribution of food to the Hellenistic widows of the Jerusalem community (Acts 6:1–6). 'A man full of grace and fortitude,' he 'did great wonders and signs among the people.'

His preaching aroused the opposition of the Hellenistic synagogues. Brought before the Sanhedrin on charges of speaking against the Temple and the Law, he gave the great speech recorded in Acts 7 — a survey of salvation history from Abraham to Christ — that ended in his denunciation of his judges: 'You always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do you also.'

Filled with the Holy Spirit, he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God: 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.' They cast him out of the city and stoned him. As he was dying he prayed: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'; and falling on his knees: 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.'

Saul of Tarsus stood by, keeping the cloaks of those who killed him. The blood of the proto-martyr was the seed of the conversion of Paul.

Miracles & Phenomena

  • Wonders and Signs Among the People

    'Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people' (Acts 6:8) — though no specific miracle is recorded by name.

  • Vision of the Son of Man at the Right Hand

    At his trial Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God — the only New Testament occurrence of 'Son of Man' on a speaker's lips other than Christ Himself.

Relics
  • Body
    Relics of St. Stephen
    Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome (with St. Lawrence)

    His relics were discovered at Caphar Gamala in Palestine in AD 415 and translated to Constantinople and Rome. They rest at San Lorenzo fuori le Mura in a joint tomb with St. Lawrence.

Iconography
  • Stephen with Stones

    Stephen, vested in dalmatic (the deacon's vestment), with palm of martyrdom and three stones — two on his shoulders, one on his head — the instruments of his death.

Prayers to This Saint
Patronages
DeaconsStonemasons (instrument of his death)Headache sufferers
Sources & Further Reading
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