Saint Apostle Stephen
of the Seventy.

St. Stephen was a Jew living in the Hellenic provinces, related to the Apostle Paul and one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles to serve the Church in Jerusalem. Originally a Hellenized Jew—a Jew who was Greek in culture and language but not in ancestry—he converted to Christianity, after which the Apostles appointed him to be a deacon serving Jerusalem's community of Hellenist converts. His appointment came at a time of rapid church growth and practical need within the early Christian community in Jerusalem.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read in chapter 6 that Stephen was appointed together with six others to minister to the needs of the poor: "Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

St. Stephen did many things for the poor and widows in Jerusalem and by the power of his faith, he worked many miracles. The Jewish authorities argued with him, but were always beaten by his wisdom and the power of the Spirit who acted through him. A gifted evangelist, Stephen preached in this community and discussed religious matters with members of synagogues for Diaspora Jews.

These men, who were very good at spreading rumors about people, stirred up the people and leaders against this innocent man. They said many things about him that weren't true, that he had blasphemed against God and against Moses, and quickly found people to lie and act as witnesses to support these rumors. Saint Stephen came before the Sanhedrin and the High Priest to answer these charges. He gave a fiery speech, in which he recounted the history of the Jewish nation, and denounced the Jews for persecuting the prophets, and also for executing the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.

During his speech, Saint Stephen suddenly saw the heavens opened and Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God. The Jews shouted and covered their ears, and rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him, but the holy martyr prayed for his murderers. Before his death Saint Stephen said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Then he joyfully gave up his pure soul to Christ.

The body of the holy Protomartyr Stephen, left to be eaten by beasts, was secretly taken up by the Jewish teacher Gamaliel and his son Habib, who buried Stephen on his estate. They both believed in Christ, and later received holy Baptism.

The uncovering of his relics took place in 415, Gamaliel appeared to presbyter Lucian and he told him to go to Jerusalem and inform Bishop John about relics of Saint Stephen. Bishop John II with bishops Eusthia (from Sebastia) and Eleutherius (from Jericho) came to the tomb in Beit Jimal and translated relics to Jerusalem, this event is commemorated on 15 September.

In 428 relics of saint Stephen, Nicodemus, Gamaliel and Abibas were translated from Jerusalem to Constantinople and relics have been placed in Saint Lawrence church, and after preparations were made relics were moved to specially prepared Saint Stephen church in Constantinople. St Stephen's martyrdom occurred about a year after the first Pentecost.

One miracle involves a woman being restored of her sight after her eyes were touched with a flower that had been laid on the saint's relics. Other miraculous healings include those of two sisters who were cured of epilepsy after being in contact with his relics. Stephen's steadfast faith and prayer of forgiveness for his killers inspired the early Church, and many sources suggest that his prayer and witness influenced even his persecutor Saul, who would become the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Stephen of the Seventy, also known as the Protomartyr Stephen, holds a uniquely important place in Christian history as the first person to shed his blood for Christ after the Resurrection and Pentecost. Though his primary commemoration in the Eastern Orthodox Church falls on December 27—the day of his martyrdom—the Church also honors him on June 15 together with his fellow apostles Fortunatus and Achaicus, and collectively with all the Seventy Apostles on January 4.

Stephen was an early Christian convert from among the Hellenistic Jews, one of the original seven deacons ordained by the Apostles, and the first martyr of the Orthodox Church. He was one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles to serve the Church in Jerusalem, thus making him an archdeacon. He did many things for the poor and widows in Jerusalem and by the power of his faith, he worked many miracles.

In the words of Asterias, Stephen was "the starting point of the martyrs, the instructor of suffering for Christ, the foundation of righteous confession, since Stephen was the first to shed his blood for the Gospel". Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saint Stephen preached Christianity and defeated Jewish teachers of the Law in debate. His steadfast witness and theological prowess ultimately brought him before the Sanhedrin, where his defense of the faith sealed his destiny as the Church's first martyr for Christ.