Saint Stephen the Protomartyr

Stephen was one of Jerusalem's early Christian deacons.   About 36 a.d., Stephen was stoned to death and is considered the first Christian martyr.

The immense growth of the early Christian community in Jerusalem led to a large number of issues that required more leadership then the 12 Apostles alone.   Therefore, the office of the deacons was created, and they were given the responsibility of taking care of the widows and the poor in the community.

Along with Stephen called to this office were Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas (Acts 6: 1-6). They all took on Greek names, since they represented the Greek-speaking group (the 'Hellenists' differing from the Aramaic-speaking 'Hebrews') in the community.

With his sermons and miracles (Acts 6: 8-10), Stephen provoked the anger of the Jewish High Council and was brought before them.   When Stephen spoke to the High Council, he tried to show that the Israelites had been in opposition to God and the Holy Spirit since the start.   He argued that they had not followed the laws given to Moses, and had persecuted the prophets sent by God - including Jesus.   This outraged the High Council so much that they condemned him to be stoned to death for blasphemy.

Acts 7 portrays the martyrdom of Stephen with strong similarities to the suffering of Jesus during the Crucifixion.   Like Jesus, Stephen prayed for his persecutors in the hour of his death.   Just as Jesus had laid his own spirit back in the hands of his Father, the dying Stephen laid his spirit in Jesus' hands.   After the cruel stoning, his death was described as peaceful.   Stephen was the first martyr who died for his belief in Jesus.