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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.
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