StStephen's Page

"We give thee thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen,

who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to thy Son Jesus Christ,

who stands at thy right hand where he lives and reigns with thee

and the Holy Spirit, One god, in glory everlasting"

PATRON SAINT

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.

StStephens Church Perunal Rasa 2010 January 24

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UK Diocesan Bishop H.G Dr.Mathews Mar Themothios

Late UK Diocesan Bishop H.G Dr.Thomas Mar Makarios

Fr.Varghese Mathew(Vicar) St.Stephen'sChurch,Bhm.