Stephen, St

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Stephen, St (d. c.35). The first Christian martyr. He was one of ‘the seven’ appointed ‘to serve tables’ (traditionally the first deacons) in the Jerusalem church. On account of his preaching and miracles he was brought before the Sanhedrin, and after making a defence denouncing Israel's perennial hardness of heart, was put to death by stoning (Acts 6. 1–8. 2). As with Jesus, the basic offence appears to have been a refusal to accept the final authority of the high priest and Temple (cf. Deuteronomy 17, and see REBELLIOUS ELDER). Feast day, in the W. 26 Dec., in the E. 27 Dec.

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