Feast day: 26 December
Saint Stephen the First Martyr
Sanctus Stephanus Protomartyr
The first of the seven deacons and the first Christian martyr, stoned in Jerusalem while praying for his killers, with Saul of Tarsus consenting.
- Born
- First century, a Hellenistic Jew of the diaspora
- Died
- About AD 34-36, stoned outside Jerusalem
- Canonization
- Pre-Congregation; his martyrdom is recorded in Acts 6-7 and his feast kept on 26 December since the fourth century.
- Country
- Judea (Roman Empire)
Biography
Chosen among the seven
Acts 6 describes a dispute over the daily distribution to Hellenist widows. The Twelve chose seven men 'full of the Spirit and of wisdom' to serve at tables, laying hands on them; Stephen is named first and described as 'full of grace and power', working signs among the people.
Discourse and stoning
Accused before the Sanhedrin of speaking against the Temple and the Law, Stephen answered with the longest speech in Acts, a survey of Israel's history showing that God is not confined to a building. Seeing the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand, he was dragged out and stoned. He prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit' and 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' The witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Legacy
His death unleashed the first persecution, scattering the disciples and spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Saint Augustine held that the Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen. His relics were reportedly discovered at Kafr Gamala in 415, an event that spread his cult through the empire.
Timeline
- ~33 — Chosen among the seven deacons
- ~34 — Trial before the Sanhedrin and stoning
- 415 — Reported discovery of his relics at Kafr Gamala
Dates marked ~ are traditional or debated among historians.
Symbols
Stones — The manner of his martyrdom.
Palm branch — Victory of the martyr.
Dalmatic and book of the Gospels — His diaconal ministry of service and proclamation.
Virtues & spiritual lessons
Wisdom filled with the Holy Spirit, courage in witness and forgiveness of his executioners in imitation of Christ on the cross.
Importance in the Church
As the first martyr he set the pattern of Christian witness; his feast on the day after Christmas shows the Church that the crib leads to the cross.
Quotes
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Acts 7:59
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Acts 7:60
Prayers
Prayer to Saint Stephen
Grant, Lord, that we may imitate what we worship, and so learn to love even our enemies, for we celebrate the birth into heaven of blessed Stephen, who knew how to pray even for his persecutors. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect of the Roman Missal for 26 December.
Places
Saint Stephen's Gate, Jerusalem — Traditional site near his stoning, outside the old city.
Basilica of Saint Stephen, Jerusalem — École Biblique church built over an ancient memorial to the martyr.
Scripture
Acts 6:1-8 — The choice of the seven and Stephen's ministry.
Acts 7:1-60 — His discourse and martyrdom.
Entries are drawn from the Roman Martyrology, the General Roman Calendar, canonization records of the Holy See, and the saints' own writings. Where a date, quotation or attribution is uncertain, it is marked as such. (63 saints)