From Wikipedia.com . . .
Stephen (/ˈstiːfən/) or Steven (/ˈstiːvən/)
is a first name derived from the Greek name Stéphanos meaning
"wreath, crown, honor, reward", literally "that which surrounds
or encompasses". The name is
significant to Christians: according to the Book of Acts in the New Testament,
Saint Stephen was a deacon who was stoned to death and is regarded as the first
martyr, in Greek "protomartyr", of the Christian Church.
From FishEaters.com . . .
The second day of Christmas is the Feast of St. Stephen, the First Deacon, "a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost," whose story is recounted in Acts 6-7. The Apostles laid hands on him and ordained him with six others, and Stephen, "full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people," and went to preach among the Jews, some of whom "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke" Other Jews, though, "suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council. And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law." He was the very first martyr of the Church Age, stoned to death by the Jews, including Saul -- the future St. Paul. St Fulgentius of Ruspe gives us a beautiful reflection on St. Stephen and on St. Paul, who murdered him when he was still known as Saul: |
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