Saint Stephen

Introduction
Saint Stephen, a devoted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, was the first of Christ's followers to die a martyr’s death. Because of this,he has been given the honorary title, "Protomartyr" [First Martyr].

Very little is known about Saint Stephen except for what we read in the book of Acts. We learn here that Stephen was appointed deacon of the Church at a time when food distribution needed careful administration, and became an enemy of the Jewish religious establishment when he began speaking boldly about the risen Lord—-something which the wanted to keep hidden from the people. When the failed in their attempts to discredit Stephen’s testimony about Jesus, they plotted to have him killed.

Stephen’s martyrdom helps Christians understand the incredible challenges that early Christians faced in trying to get Christ's message across to the people, as well as the love and deep devotion which Christ's followers had for the new faith and its mediator. We also learn from this event, the length to which leaders of the period would go in order to suppress this teaching, especially when their traditions [their livlihood] are at stake. At the same time, we are encouraged by Stephen’s bold stand against his accusers even when facing death.