Saint Stephen (Christian martyr)

Saint Stephen d. AD 36?, first Christian martyr, stoned at Jerusalem. He was one of the seven deacons. Accused of blasphemy, he was brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. His speech defending his beliefs further enraged his accusers, who were Hellenistic Jews, and he was taken out and stoned to death. His teachings showed the growing differences between Judaism and the Jewish-Christian community in Jerusalem. Acts 6; 7. Feasts: Martyrdom on Dec. 26; Finding of St. Stephen's Body (415) on Aug. 3.

Stephen male forename; name of two saints.
St Stephen (died c.35), one of the original seven deacons in Jerusalem appointed by the Apostles. He was charged with blasphemy and stoned, thus becoming the first Christian martyr. Saul of Tarsus (see St Paul1) was present at his execution. He is patron of deacons, bricklayers, and those suffering from headaches, and his emblem is a stone, as a sign of his martyrdom. His feast day is (in the Western Church) 26 December; (in the Eastern Church) 27 December.

St Stephen's was an occasional former name for Parliament, from the chapel of St Stephen in which the Commons used to sit.
St Stephen of Hungary (c.977–1038), king and patron saint of Hungary, reigned 1000–38. The first king of Hungary, he united Pannonia and Dacia as one kingdom and took steps to Christianize the country. His feast day is 2 September or (in Hungary) 20 August.

Stephen, St (d. c.35), protomartyr and traditionally the first deacon. He was one of those who, according to Acts 6: 5, were appointed by the Apostles to ‘serve tables’ in Jerusalem. It is reported that he also took part in preaching and performed miracles (Acts 6: 8 ff.), thus incurring the hostility of the Jews. After delivering a long discourse (Acts 7: 2–53) before the Sanhedrin, he was stoned, apparently without formal trial. He died asking forgiveness for his persecutors (Acts 7: 60). Feast day in the W., 26 Dec.; in the E., 27 Dec.