St. Stephen: Deacon and First Christian Martyr
Quick answer
St. Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to serve the Church in Jerusalem, the first deacons. Full of grace and power, he preached Christ boldly and was stoned to death, praying for those who killed him. A young man named Saul, later St. Paul, approved of his death. Stephen is called the Protomartyr, the first martyr. His feast is December 26.
Key takeaways
- He was chosen with six others to serve the widows and the poor (Acts 6:1-6).
- He was described as "full of grace and fortitude."
- Before dying he saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
- Like Jesus, he forgave his killers as he died.
On the day after Christmas, the Church turns from the crib to a scene of violence: a young deacon being stoned outside Jerusalem. It is not a contradiction. St. Stephen shows us what the Child of Bethlehem came to do.
The First Deacons
As the Church in Jerusalem grew, the Greek-speaking believers complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles asked the community to choose seven men “of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” to serve, so that the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and preaching (Acts 6:3). The first chosen was Stephen, “a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost.” The apostles prayed and laid hands on them.
The Church sees in this the beginning of the diaconate (CCC 1569-1571).
Full of Grace and Power
Stephen did more than serve tables. He worked wonders and preached with such wisdom that his opponents could not answer him. They brought false witnesses who accused him of speaking against the Temple and the Law. Brought before the council, Stephen’s face looked “as if it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).
He answered with a long speech recalling the history of Israel, from Abraham to Moses to David and Solomon, showing how God had always been at work and how the prophets had often been rejected. He ended by calling his hearers to recognize the Righteous One they had put to death.
His Death
His hearers were furious. But Stephen, looking up, said:
Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56, Douay-Rheims)
They rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As he died Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and then, kneeling, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59-60).
The Fruit of His Prayer
St. Augustine said that if Stephen had not prayed, the Church would not have had Paul. The young man who held the cloaks became the great Apostle to the Gentiles.
A Prayer to St. Stephen (Original Prayer)
St. Stephen, you served the poor and preached Christ with courage. Pray for our deacons and for all who serve. Teach me to forgive those who hurt me, and to keep my eyes on Jesus. Amen.
Continue Reading
Read about St. Paul, the Holy Innocents, whose feast follows two days later, or St. John the Apostle.
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast of St. Stephen?
December 26, the day after Christmas.
Why is St. Stephen's Day right after Christmas?
The Church places the first martyr beside the birth of Christ to show that the Child of Bethlehem came to give His life, and that following Him can mean giving ours.
What is St. Stephen the patron saint of?
Deacons, stonemasons and bricklayers, and those suffering from headaches.
Sources
- Acts of the Apostles 6:1 to 8:2 (Douay-Rheims)
- St. Fulgentius of Ruspe, Sermon 3 on St. Stephen (Office of Readings, December 26)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1569–1571, 2473
