Lesson about St. #Steven the first Martyr.
Dear members of John's Repentance page, today we commemorate the memory of our holy forefather in faith, St. Stephen, the Protomartyr. His tale has been preserved in the pages of ecclesiastical history and given to us as a beacon of unwavering faith, fearless proclamation, and ultimately, martyrdom.
The name Stephen, originating from the Greek "Στέφανος" (Stephanos), means "crown" or "garland," a fitting epithet for the first among those who earned the crown of martyrdom in the nascent Church. He was the inaugural martyr, laying down his life for Christ after His Ascension, and hence, he carries the title of "Protomartyr."
The history of Stephen, as delineated in the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-15), is a testament to the power of faith and obedience to God. As the Christian community in Jerusalem began to grow, it became increasingly challenging for the Apostles to attend to all their duties. In response, they selected seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to assist in serving the needs of the community, particularly in the administration of aid to the needy. Among these, Stephen stood preeminent.
Stephen, adorned with the grace of the Holy Spirit, served the Church not only through his diaconal duties but also through his spirited proclamation of Christ's teachings. His devotion and eloquence were remarkable to such a degree that his detractors could not counter his words and resorted to malevolent subterfuge. Accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council.
Before the council, Stephen offered a fervent defense of his faith, narrating the history of God's covenant with Israel and boldly criticizing their intransigence and infidelity to the covenant. "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you," he declared (Acts 7:51). His indictment of their rejection of Jesus, whom Stephen avowed to be the promised Messiah, enraged the council.
In the face of their fury, Stephen, his face radiant like that of an angel, looked steadfastly into heaven and beheld a vision of the glorified Christ at the right hand of God. Sharing this vision with those present, he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). His words, interpreted as blasphemy, sealed his fate. He was dragged out of the city and stoned to death.
Yet, even in the throes of this brutal execution, Stephen emulated the mercy of Christ, imploring, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." His last breath was a prayer for his executioners, embodying Christ's teaching to love our enemies.
In this martyrdom, a significant figure observed: Saul of Tarsus, who later became Paul the Apostle, held the garments of those who stoned Stephen. His witnessing of Stephen's steadfast faith and unyielding love might have sown the seeds of his own conversion.
Stephen's life and martyrdom serve as an enduring lesson for us. His unyielding faith, courage in the face of persecution, and love even for his persecutors are the standards that we, as followers of Christ, are called to emulate. His story is not only a historical account but also a spiritual roadmap for each of us, pointing the way to a life of deep faith, bold witness, and sacrificial love.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every language that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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