Stephan was one of the first ordained Deacons of The Church and was chosen to help some Greek-speaking widows whose needs were being neglected. 

Stephan was filled with The Holy Spirit, doing great works and miracles. 

He was also an outstanding and courageous speaker, with a history of pronouncing The Word of The Lord and, ultimately, it was for this that he was put on trial for blasphemy. 

At his trial, he detailed the long history of the Jews and how time after time they were sent prophets yet, always, they resisted. In Acts, Chapter 6, we hear some of this testimony from Stephan, 

“You stiff-necked people, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors. 

Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. 

You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it.” 

Stephan then tells them that he sees The Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, this is taken as the final proof of blasphemy and he is stoned to death. 

Just before he is murdered by an angry mob, he says; “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” 

Stephan becomes the first Christian martyr and overseeing his death is a young man named Saul, who will soon have a mighty conversion and become a martyr himself. 

St. Stephan, Please pray for us.