St. Stephen - Martyr

Stephen's name means "crown," and he was the first disciple of Jesusto receive the martyr's crown.

Stephen was a deacon in the early ChristianChurch. God worked many miracles through St. Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus. The enemies of the Church of Jesuswere furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was.

Stephen scolded his enemies for not having believed in Jesus. At that, they rose up in great anger and shouted at him. But Stephen looked up to Heavenand said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesusstanding at the right hand of God. His hearers plugged their ears and refused to listen to another word. They dragged St. Stephen outside the city of Jerusalemand stoned him to death. The saint prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he fell to his knees and begged Godnot to punish his enemies for killing him.

St. Stephen is a patron of stonemasons and of deacons. His Feast Day is December 26.