Saint Stephen is the Protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity and is venerated as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church and its Eastern Rite, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of England and its Anglican Communion among other  religious denominations. He is identified  as one of the first deacons chosen by the early church in Acts of the Apostles. The Feast of Saint Stephen is celebrated on December 26 in the Western Church and December 27 in the Eastern Church. One of  the seventy-two disciples of  Christ,  after the Ascension  Saint Stephen  was chosen as one of  the seven deacons. Scriptures tell us that "full  of grace and fortitude,  he did great wonders and signs among the people." Many adversaries rose up to dispute him, but "they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit brought before the Sanhedrin and charged with blasphemy against Moses and against God,he was filled with the Holy Ghost and looking up to heaven, he cried out,  "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man  standing at the right hand of God". In demonic fury the onlookers rushed upon him, dragged him outside the city,  and stoned him to death."  On December 415 A.D.  a priest called Lucian discovered  the relics of Saint Stephen, together with those of Gamaliel,Nicodemus and Abibo,at Kafr Gamala in  Palestine.  According to  a  narrative  attributed  to  Lucian,  this  discovery  was made   in consequence of dreams and visions. God was pleased to glorify His name by miracles brought through the intercession of His First Martyr.  Saint Augustine said of him, "Let us so desire  to obtain temporal blessings by his intercession that we may by imitating him,  and deserve  those, which are eternal." May the intercessions of our Patron Saint be upon us forever.

Read more