December 26 | Saint Stephen

Born: c. 5 

Died: c. 34

Nationality: Israeli or Greek

Vocation: deacon 

Attributes: Red, stones, dalmatic, censer, miniature church, Gospel Book, martyr's palm

Patronage: stonemasons, bricklayers, deacons, and Hungary

Canonization: pre-Congregation 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The little we know of him and the account of his martyrdom, which was witnessed by St. Paul, can be found in the sixth and seventh chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. 

After Christ’s Resurrection Stephen was chosen as one of the first seven men appointed as deacons to assist the Apostles. While he was preaching the Gospel, he was arrested and brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin to stand trial for blasphemy. When he proclaimed Jesus as Lord and said he saw him standing at the right side of God, the leaders were enraged and ordered for him to be stoned to death. 

With his last breaths, he forgave his persecutors in imitation of Christ. Devotion to him grew immediately among the early Christians. 

St. Stephen, pray for us.