Difference between revisions of "Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr"

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[[Image:Stephen the Protomartyr.jpg|right|St. Stephen]]
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[[Image:StStephenIcon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|‎The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Archdeacon Stephen the Protomartyr]]
The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr''' was an early Christian [[convert]] from among the Hellenistic Jews, one of the original seven [[deacon]]s [[ordination|ordained]] by the [[Apostles]], and the first [[martyr]] of the [[Orthodox Church]].  The Church remembers the martyrdom of St. Stephen on [[December 27]], and the translations of his [[relics]] on [[August 2]], as well as commemorating him on [[June 15]] with Ss. [[Apostle Fortunatus|Fortunatus]] and [[Apostle Achaicus|Achaicus]].
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The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle and Archdeacon Stephen the Protomartyr''' (Gk. Στέφανος, "crown") was an early Christian [[convert]] from among the Hellenistic Jews, one of the original seven [[deacon]]s [[ordination|ordained]] by the [[Apostles]], and the first [[martyr]] of the [[Orthodox Church]].  The Church remembers the martyrdom of St. Stephen on [[December 27]], and the translations of his [[relics]] on [[August 2]], as well as commemorating him on [[June 15]] with Ss. [[Apostle Fortunatus|Fortunatus]] and [[Apostle Achaicus|Achaicus]].
  
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== Life ==
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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 (thus making him an archdeacon).
  
== Association of the origins of the Saints name with his honour in the Church ==
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In the words of [[Asterias]]:St Stephen was "the starting point of the martyrs, the instructore of suffering for Christ, the foundation of righteous confession, since Stephen was the first to shed his blood for the Gospel."
'''Στέφανος''',n  {stef'-an-os}
 
The definitions presented for the name 'Stephen' are:
 
:1) A crown, which is a:
 
::a) Mark of royal or exalted rank;
 
::: - the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games;
 
::b) ''metaph''. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a  prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ - the crown (wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness;
 
::c) that which is an ornament and honour to one.
 
  
== Life ==
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The [[Holy Spirit]] worked powerfully through his faith, enabling him to perform many [[miracle]]s and always defeat the Jews who would dispute with him.  
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 (thus making him an archdeacon). The [[Holy Spirit]] worked powerfully through his faith, enabling him to perform many [[miracle]]s and always defeat the Jews who would dispute with him. The Jews in their hatred of St. Stephen lied about him to the people, but St. Stephen with his face illumined reminded the people of the miracles God had worked through him and even rebuked the Jews for killing the innocent [[Christ]].
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The Jews in their hatred of St. Stephen lied about him to the people, but St. Stephen with his face illumined reminded the people of the miracles God had worked through him and even rebuked the Jews for killing the innocent [[Christ]].
  
 
The people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and 'gnashed their teeth' at Stephen. It was then that he saw his Christ in the heavens and declared it so. Hearing this, the Jews took him outside the city and stoned him to death, with his kinsman Saul (later St. Paul) holding their coats while they did it. Afar off on a hill was the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]] and St. [[Apostle John|John the Theologian]] who witnessed this first martyrdom for the Son of God and prayed for him while he was being stoned. This occurred about a year after the first [[Pentecost]].
 
The people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and 'gnashed their teeth' at Stephen. It was then that he saw his Christ in the heavens and declared it so. Hearing this, the Jews took him outside the city and stoned him to death, with his kinsman Saul (later St. Paul) holding their coats while they did it. Afar off on a hill was the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]] and St. [[Apostle John|John the Theologian]] who witnessed this first martyrdom for the Son of God and prayed for him while he was being stoned. This occurred about a year after the first [[Pentecost]].
  
When the Jews stoned St. Stephen, they left his body at the foothill of the city for two days to be eaten by dogs. But on the second night, [[Gamaliel]]—teacher of the Apostle Paul and the [[Apostle Barnabas]]—came and moved the body to his own land in Capharganda. [[Nicodemus the Righteous|Nicodemus]], who died while weeping at this grave, was also buried there along with Gamaliel's godson Abibus and Gamaliel himself upon his repose.
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== Relics ==
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The body of the holy Protomartyr Stephen, was left at the foothill of the city for two days to be eaten by dogs. But on the second night, [[Gamaliel]]— teacher of the Apostle Paul and the [[Apostle Barnabas]]— along with his son, secretly came and took the body to his own estate, in Capharganda, to be buried.  
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[[Nicodemus the Righteous|Nicodemus]], who died while weeping at this grave, was also buried there along with Gamaliel's godson Abibus and Gamaliel himself upon his repose.
  
 
After many years the memory of St. Stephen's burial place had left the minds of men, until 415 when Gamaliel appeared three times to Father Lucian, [[priest]] at Capharganda. He revealed to Fr. Lucian the place of his burial and everything about it. Fr. Lucian received the blessing of the [[Patriarch]] to exhume the [[saint]]s from their grave where a strong, sweet fragrance filled the cave.
 
After many years the memory of St. Stephen's burial place had left the minds of men, until 415 when Gamaliel appeared three times to Father Lucian, [[priest]] at Capharganda. He revealed to Fr. Lucian the place of his burial and everything about it. Fr. Lucian received the blessing of the [[Patriarch]] to exhume the [[saint]]s from their grave where a strong, sweet fragrance filled the cave.
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[[Image:Protomartyr.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Relic of St. Stephen in Russia <ref> [http://www.saintjonah.org/pics/protomartyr.jpg Photo of St. Stephen relics] </ref>]]
  
 
St. Stephen's [[relics]] were translated to Zion and honorably buried, and many of the sick were healed by his relics. The other three relics were placed inside a church atop the cave on a hill. Eventually, his relics were translated to Constantinople.
 
St. Stephen's [[relics]] were translated to Zion and honorably buried, and many of the sick were healed by his relics. The other three relics were placed inside a church atop the cave on a hill. Eventually, his relics were translated to Constantinople.
  
== Characteristics of St Stephen ==
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Today, you wil find his whole right arm at ''The Holy Trinity of St. Sergius Lavra'', established by St. [[Sergius of Radonezh]] in 1345, at Sergiyev Posad, Russia [http://http://www.stsl.ru/video/index_en.php Video of ''The Holy Trinity'' monastery]
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==Feast Days/Commemorations==
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As mentioned above, the main commemoration for St Stephen is December 27, the day of his repose by martyrdom(stoning).  The [[Orthodox Church]] celebrates the discovery (opening) of the Saint's relics on September 15 and the [[Translation (relics)|Translation]] of the Relics of Protomartyr Stephen on August 2. The September 15 feast day celebrates the discovery of Stephen's relics in 415, after which they were solemnly transferred to a church built in his honor in Jerusalem. Later, during the reign of [[Emperor Theodosius the Younger]] (408-450), the relics were transported to [[Constantinople]]: this event being commemorated on August 2. January 4 marks the commemoration of the "Synaxis of the 70 Apostles". Since St. Stephen was included in these 70 Apostles mentioned in the "Acts of the Apostles", he is also remembered on January 4.
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<!--- == Characteristics of St Stephen ==
 
Using the original Greek text a portrait of St Stephen's personality can be painted through the Acts of the Apostles.  
 
Using the original Greek text a portrait of St Stephen's personality can be painted through the Acts of the Apostles.  
 
 
Listed, in order, these characteristics are:
 
Listed, in order, these characteristics are:
 
 
:1. ἄνδρας (Acts 6:5)
 
:1. ἄνδρας (Acts 6:5)
 
:: This word (man) shows not only his gender but also shows his disposition as a person. It shows that he was ...
 
:: This word (man) shows not only his gender but also shows his disposition as a person. It shows that he was ...
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:6. θεόπτης (7:55)
 
:6. θεόπτης (7:55)
 
:7. μεταμορφωμένος ἀπὸ τὸ ἄκτιστο φῶς τοῦ Θεοῦ (Acts 6:15)
 
:7. μεταμορφωμένος ἀπὸ τὸ ἄκτιστο φῶς τοῦ Θεοῦ (Acts 6:15)
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--->
  
 
==Hymns==
 
==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103659]
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[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [Holy Tradition]
  
:O Protomartyr and mighty warrior of Christ our God,
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:O First Martyr and Apostle Of Christ,
:You are victorious in battle and crowned with glory, O holy Stephen!
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:Thou hadst fought the good fight.
:You confounded the council of your persecutors,
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:And didst expose the perversion of the persecutors,
:Beholding your Savior enthroned at the right hand of the Father.
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:For when thou wast killed by stoning at the hands of wicked men,
:Never cease to [[intercession|intercede]] for the salvation of our souls!
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:Thou didst receive a crown from the right hand on high,
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:And didst cry out to God saying,
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:"O Lord do not charge this sin against them!"
  
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103659]
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[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3) [Holy Tradition]
  
:Yesterday the Master assumed our flesh and became our guest;
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:Yesterday the Master came to us as a man,
:Today His servant is stoned to death and departs in the flesh,
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:And today his servant departs from life.
:The glorious Protomartyr Stephen.
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:Yesterday the King was born as a man,
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:And today His servant is stoned to death.
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:For the sake of Christ Holy Stephen became the first martyr.
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==References==
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<references/>
  
 
== Source ==
 
== Source ==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
 
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103659 Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen] ([[OCA]])
 
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103659 Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen] ([[OCA]])
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=355 Stephen, Archdeacon & First Martyr] ([[GOARCH]])
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*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/355 Stephen, Archdeacon & First Martyr] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=150 Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr] (GOARCH)
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*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/150 Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr] (GOARCH)
 
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/jbc04.htm St. Stephen Archdeacon and First-Martyr Icon and Story]
 
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/jbc04.htm St. Stephen Archdeacon and First-Martyr Icon and Story]
  
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[[Category:Martyrs|Stephen]]
 
[[Category:Martyrs|Stephen]]
 
[[Category:Saints|Stephen]]
 
[[Category:Saints|Stephen]]
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[[Category:Seven Deacons|Stephen]]
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[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Stephen]]
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[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Stephen]]
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[[Category:1st-century saints]]
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[[el:Στέφανος ο πρωτομάρτυρας]]
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[[ro:Apostolul Ştefan (Întâiul-mucenic)]]

Revision as of 23:41, January 25, 2013

‎The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Archdeacon Stephen the Protomartyr

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Archdeacon Stephen the Protomartyr (Gk. Στέφανος, "crown") 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. The Church remembers the martyrdom of St. Stephen on December 27, and the translations of his relics on August 2, as well as commemorating him on June 15 with Ss. Fortunatus and Achaicus.

Life

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 (thus making him an archdeacon).

In the words of Asterias:St Stephen was "the starting point of the martyrs, the instructore of suffering for Christ, the foundation of righteous confession, since Stephen was the first to shed his blood for the Gospel."

The Holy Spirit worked powerfully through his faith, enabling him to perform many miracles and always defeat the Jews who would dispute with him.

The Jews in their hatred of St. Stephen lied about him to the people, but St. Stephen with his face illumined reminded the people of the miracles God had worked through him and even rebuked the Jews for killing the innocent Christ.

The people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and 'gnashed their teeth' at Stephen. It was then that he saw his Christ in the heavens and declared it so. Hearing this, the Jews took him outside the city and stoned him to death, with his kinsman Saul (later St. Paul) holding their coats while they did it. Afar off on a hill was the Virgin Mary and St. John the Theologian who witnessed this first martyrdom for the Son of God and prayed for him while he was being stoned. This occurred about a year after the first Pentecost.

Relics

The body of the holy Protomartyr Stephen, was left at the foothill of the city for two days to be eaten by dogs. But on the second night, Gamaliel— teacher of the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Barnabas— along with his son, secretly came and took the body to his own estate, in Capharganda, to be buried.

Nicodemus, who died while weeping at this grave, was also buried there along with Gamaliel's godson Abibus and Gamaliel himself upon his repose.

After many years the memory of St. Stephen's burial place had left the minds of men, until 415 when Gamaliel appeared three times to Father Lucian, priest at Capharganda. He revealed to Fr. Lucian the place of his burial and everything about it. Fr. Lucian received the blessing of the Patriarch to exhume the saints from their grave where a strong, sweet fragrance filled the cave.

Relic of St. Stephen in Russia [1]

St. Stephen's relics were translated to Zion and honorably buried, and many of the sick were healed by his relics. The other three relics were placed inside a church atop the cave on a hill. Eventually, his relics were translated to Constantinople.

Today, you wil find his whole right arm at The Holy Trinity of St. Sergius Lavra, established by St. Sergius of Radonezh in 1345, at Sergiyev Posad, Russia Video of The Holy Trinity monastery

Feast Days/Commemorations

As mentioned above, the main commemoration for St Stephen is December 27, the day of his repose by martyrdom(stoning). The Orthodox Church celebrates the discovery (opening) of the Saint's relics on September 15 and the Translation of the Relics of Protomartyr Stephen on August 2. The September 15 feast day celebrates the discovery of Stephen's relics in 415, after which they were solemnly transferred to a church built in his honor in Jerusalem. Later, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450), the relics were transported to Constantinople: this event being commemorated on August 2. January 4 marks the commemoration of the "Synaxis of the 70 Apostles". Since St. Stephen was included in these 70 Apostles mentioned in the "Acts of the Apostles", he is also remembered on January 4.


Hymns

Troparion (Tone 4) [Holy Tradition]

O First Martyr and Apostle Of Christ,
Thou hadst fought the good fight.
And didst expose the perversion of the persecutors,
For when thou wast killed by stoning at the hands of wicked men,
Thou didst receive a crown from the right hand on high,
And didst cry out to God saying,
"O Lord do not charge this sin against them!"

Kontakion (Tone 3) [Holy Tradition]

Yesterday the Master came to us as a man,
And today his servant departs from life.
Yesterday the King was born as a man,
And today His servant is stoned to death.
For the sake of Christ Holy Stephen became the first martyr.

References

Source

External links