Holy Protomartyr Stephen

Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr and a kinsman of the Apostle Paul. One of the seven deacons ordained by the Holy Apostles, Stephen worked great miracles through his faith. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he daringly preached the Christian Way and defeated the jewish teachers of the Law, for which they falsely accused him of blasphemy. Saint Stephen stood before the people and all saw his face illumined with the light of Grace. In a fiery speech, he boldly denounced the jews for persecuting the prophets and murdering Jesus Christ. As he spoke, Stephen saw the heavens open and beheld the Glory of God (Acts 7:56). Then the jews dragged the holy martyr out of the city and stoned him to death while he prayed for them. The Mother of God, along with the Holy Apostle John, stood on a rock in the distance and witnessed this first martyrdom for the Truth of her Son and God, and she prayed for Saint Stephen. This occurred one year after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.