Stephen was a Jew, possibly of the Hellenist Dispersion who, therefore, spoke Greek.
His
election and that of six other men as deacons is related in the Acts of
the Apostles: “And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the
Holy Ghost.” (Acts 6:5)
Stephen spoke with such wisdom and fire
that his listeners could not resist his words. Thus a plot was begun in
certain synagogues against him. At first, they tried to debate with the
young deacon but could not withstand his inspired logic. Wanting to
silence him by any means, they then conspired to put him to death.
Brought
before the Sanhedrim, he delivered a marvelous defense of the New Order
established by Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Order (recorded at
length in the Acts of the Apostles),and finished with the stinging
words: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always
resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you also. Which of
the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them
who foretold of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now
the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the
disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-54)
The
whole assembly raged at Stephen, but he, full of the Holy Ghost, looked
up and saw our Savior standing at the right hand of God the Father, and
exclaimed: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man
standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7: 55)
At which words
those assembled loudly protested, and stopping their ears, fell upon him
and seized him. Dragging the deacon outside the city, they stoned him.
Standing by, watching, was a man named Saul, and those hurling the
stones laid their cloaks at his feet for safe keeping.
As
the martyr felt himself dying under the awful blows, he said, “Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling on his knees he cried out, “Lord,
lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:58-59). After which he fell
asleep in the Lord.
St. Stephen is the first to have shed his blood for the Name of Christ Jesus.
Saturday, December 26, 2020
St. Stephen Martyr
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