Saint Stephen

thumb|Saint Stephen (Luis de Morales, 1575)}} Saint Stephen is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him (Acts 7:51–53) and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become Paul the Apostle, was also involved as a witness in Stephen's execution (Acts 22:20). Quotes But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Acts of the Apostles 7:55-56 NKJV. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts of the Apostles 7:59-60 NKJV. External links Saint Stephen Category:1st century births Category:1st century deaths Category:Martyrs Category:Jews Category:People from the Bible Category:Catholic saints