THE MARTYRDOM OF SAINT STEPHEN

The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen refers to the death of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, the first Christian to die for Christ.

Who Saint Stephen was

• One of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to serve the early Church (Acts 6).
• Described as “full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” known for preaching and miracles.
• A Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jew, skilled in Scripture.

What happened

• Stephen was arrested after being accused of blasphemy.
• Brought before the Sanhedrin, he delivered a powerful speech (Acts 7) recounting Israel’s history and accusing his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit.
• He proclaimed a vision: “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

The martyrdom

• Enraged, the crowd dragged him outside the city and stoned him.
• As he died, Stephen prayed:
  
• “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (echoing Christ on the Cross)
• “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
• Saul of Tarsus (later Saint Paul) was present and consented to his death, guarding the cloaks of the executioners.