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The Life of St. Stephen the Protomartyr
St. Stephen was the Church’s first martyr, giving his life for Christ not long after Pentecost. He was chosen as one of the first seven deacons, a group appointed by the apostles to help care for the physical and spiritual needs of the early Christian community. Described in Scripture as “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5), Stephen was known for his wisdom, miracles, and powerful preaching.
His bold witness to Christ soon drew opposition from the religious leaders of the time. False accusations were brought against him, and he was arrested and put on trial before the Sanhedrin. Rather than defend himself, Stephen used the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, recounting the history of Israel and showing how Christ was the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. His words cut to the heart, but instead of repenting, his accusers became enraged.
As they dragged him outside the city to stone him, Stephen lifted his eyes to heaven and saw a vision of Christ standing at the right hand of the Father, a sign of Christ welcoming him into His kingdom. Even in his final moments, Stephen echoed the love of Christ by praying for his persecutors: “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:60). Among those present was a young man named Saul—who would later become St. Paul, one of the greatest missionaries of the Church.
The Church commemorates St. Stephen on December 27, the third day of Christmas. St. Stephen’s name in Greek (Στέφανος) means “crown.” He was the first to receive the crown of martyrdom in the Church!
How can St. Stephen intercede for us?
As the first martyr and a faithful deacon, St. Stephen continues to intercede for us, strengthening us in our struggles and drawing us closer to Christ. When we face fear or hesitation in standing up for our faith, we can ask for his prayers to give us boldness, just as he remained steadfast before those who sought to silence him. His life of service reflects the true nature of Christian leadership—one rooted not in power, but in humility and self-giving love. By seeking his intercession, we can grow in our willingness to serve others with the same compassion and devotion he showed. Most profoundly, St. Stephen’s final words were a plea for mercy on his persecutors, mirroring Christ’s own prayer from the Cross. In moments when forgiveness feels impossible, when wounds run deep and resentment takes hold, we can turn to St. Stephen and ask for his prayers, that our hearts may be softened and conformed to the mercy of Christ. Through his witness and intercessions, he reminds us that true victory is not in earthly triumph, but in faithfulness, love, and the ultimate hope of the Kingdom of God.
Discussion Questions
- St. Stephen was known for both his wisdom and his service. How can we cultivate both knowledge of our faith and a heart of service in our daily lives?
- What do you think gave St. Stephen the courage to stand before the Sanhedrin and speak boldly about Christ? How can we develop that same courage?
- Why do you think Stephen prayed for his persecutors instead of cursing them? How does this compare to Christ’s example on the Cross?
- Have you ever had to stand up for your faith in a difficult situation? What challenges did you face, and how did you respond?
- The presence of Saul (later St. Paul) at Stephen’s martyrdom reminds us that God can transform even the hardest hearts. How does this give us hope when praying for others?
- How does learning about St. Stephen’s life and death change the way you think about persecution and suffering for Christ?
Learn his troparion.
Tone 4
Your head is crowned with a royal diadem, / because of the struggles you endured for Christ God, O first of the Martyrs to suffer; / for when you rebuked the fury of the Jews, / you saw your Savior at the Father’s right hand. / Always pray to Him for our souls.
Pray to him.
O, First Martyr and Apostle of Christ, you fought the good fight. You exposed the perversion of the persecutors, for when you were killed by stoning of the hands of the wicked men, you received a crown from the Right Hand on high.
The post There’s a Saint for That: St. Stephen the Protomartyr appeared first on Orthodox Christian Fellowship – OCF.
