St. Stephen

St. Stephen stood up in the synagogue and gloriously defended himself. He proved to them that he didn’t insult Moses but honored him, and that he respected the law, the tent of witnesses and Solomon’s Temple. But Stephen made it clear that God doesn’t dwell in houses made with hands.

Stephen was brave, and described them as stiff-necked people who resisted the Holy Spirit, like their fathers did before them, and how they persecuted the prophets then betrayed Jesus Christ and crucified him.

This talk enraged the Jews, but Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of his father. His face became like that of an angel. Then he was cast out of the city, as they did with the Lord, and they stoned him.

As they were stoning him, Stephen knelt down and prayed, setting and example of the most glorious virtues in Christianity.

He followed the Lord’s footsteps by saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit”, and, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts7: 60)

Saul of Tarsus was one of those that approved of Stephen’s death. And so Stephen became the first martyr for the Christian faith.

The church celebrates the feast of St Stephen every year on the first of Toubah( 9th of January).

"Stephen is a Greek name, which means, “Crown” or “Wreath of flowers”. He is the first martyr in the Christian church. St. Stephen was a Hellenist, one of the Greek speaking Jews. When the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in daily distribution (Acts 6:1), the faithful chose seven men of good repute and Stephen was one of them. Their duty was to look after the widows and works of charity and appoint deacons. So Stephan was one of the first deacons in the church who were full of the spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3) And Stephan, “full of Grace and Power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”(Acts6:8)He also spoke with “wisdom and Spirit” (Acts 6:8).

Courageous and strong

St. Stephen was full of zeal and those who arose and disputed with him couldn’t withstand the wisdom of the Spirit with which he spoke. So they started plotting against him and sent men to accuse him of blasphemy against God and Moses. They set up false witnesses who said that they heard him speaking against the law and the temple. These complaints were presented to the Sanhedrin and Stephan was taken to the synagogue.

May the blessings of this Saint be with us all. Amen.