St Stephen is a Christian saint who is considered the first martyr of the Church.
According to the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian community in Jerusalem, and he was known for his eloquence and wisdom.
He was accused of blasphemy by Jewish authorities and was stoned to death, becoming the first Christian martyr.
Stephen’s martyrdom is seen as a key moment in the early history of Christianity, as it marked the beginning of the persecution of Christians by non-Christians.
Stephen is venerated as a saint in many Christian traditions, and his feast day is celebrated on December 26.
| St Stephen Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Date of Birth | 1st century AD |
| Date of Death | 34 AD |
| Place of Death | Jerusalem |
| Feast Day | December 26 |
| Canonization | Pre-Congregation |
Saint Stephen Life History
Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian church and is considered the first Christian martyr. He was a member of the Hellenistic Jewish community in Jerusalem and was known for his eloquence and wisdom in teaching about Jesus.
St Stephen is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Acts. He was one of the seven deacons chosen by the early Christian community in Jerusalem to serve the needs of the widows, orphans, and poor (Acts 6:1-6).
However, he faced opposition from some members of the Jewish community who opposed the spread of Christianity.
Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, a council of Jewish leaders, on charges of blasphemy. Despite being falsely accused, Stephen defended his faith and the teachings of Jesus with great courage and conviction.
His words angered the council, and they sentenced him to be stoned to death.
The account of Stephen’s death can be found in the New Testament book of Acts, (Acts 7:54-60), which states that Stephen was stoned to death by a group of people who “dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.”
He died while praying for forgiveness for his persecutors, and his last words were reportedly, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Stephen’s death was a turning point for the early Christian church and is remembered as a symbol of faith and sacrifice.
His feast day is celebrated on December 26 by the Roman Catholic Church, and he is recognized as a saint by many other Christian denominations.
St Stephen is the Patron Saint of
- Serbia
- Republic of Srpska
- Prato, Italy
- Passau, Germany
- Owensboro, Kentucky
- Masons
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Kessel, Belgium
- Horses
- Headaches
- Dodoma, Tanzania
- Deacons
- Cetona, Italy
- Casket makers
- Altar Servers
- Acoma Indian Pueblo
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