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[[Image:Stephen the ProtomartyrStStephenIcon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|‎An icon portraying St. Stephenpraying for his persecutors while they stone him]]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]].

== The name 'Stephen'Life ==The name 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."  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 Greek 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. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." In addition to St Stephen''Στέφανος'''s [[philanthropic]] labors, the [[Holy Spirit]] worked powerfully through his faith, enabling him to perform many [[miracle]]s and to defeat the Jews who disputed with him.  The Jews in their hatred of St. Stephen lied about him to the people, but St. Stephen with his face illumined preached to the people, reminded them of the miracles God had worked through him,n {stef'-an-os}and even rebuked the Jews for killing the innocent [[Christ]].

The definitions presented for At this name arepoint, the book of Acts tells us, the people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and "gnashed their teeth" at Stephen. "But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:55-60)

A crownSoon after this, which is a::a) Mark of royal or exalted rank; the wreath or garland which was given as a prize young Jewish leader named Saul turned to victors in public games;:b) ''metaph''. the eternal blessedness which will be given Christ and became known as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ - the crown (wreath[[Apostle Paul]]) which is the reward of the righteousness;:c) that which is an ornament and honour to one.

== Life ==St. Church tradition holds that, at the time of Stephen was 's martyrdom, far off on a Jew living in the Hellenic provinceshill at this time, related to stood the [[Apostle PaulTheotokos|Virgin Mary]] and one of the first seven deacons ordained by the St. [[Apostles]] to serve Apostle John|John the Church in Jerusalem (thus making him an archdeacon). The [[Holy Spirit]] worked powerfully through his faith, enabling him to perform many [[miracleTheologian]]s and always defeat the Jews who would dispute with him. The Jews in their hatred of St. Stephen lied about him to witnessed this first martyrdom for the people, but St. Stephen with his face illumined reminded the people Son of the miracles God had worked through him and even rebuked the Jews prayed for killing the innocent [[Christ]]him while he was being stoned.

The people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and 'gnashed their teethSt Stephen' 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 s 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 body of the Jews stoned St. holy Protomartyr Stephen, they was 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]]—along with his son, secretly came and moved took the body to his own land estate, in Capharganda, to be buried.  [[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.

[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [httpHoly Tradition] ://wwwO First Martyr and Apostle Of Christ,:Thou hadst fought the good fight.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103659]: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!"

:O Protomartyr and mighty warrior of Christ our God,:You are victorious in battle and crowned with glory, O holy Stephen!:You confounded the council of your persecutors,:Beholding your Savior enthroned at the right hand of the Father.:Never cease to [[intercession|intercedeKontakion]] for the salvation of our souls!(Tone 3) [Holy Tradition]

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3) [http://wwwYesterday the Master came to us as a man,:And today his servant departs from life.oca:Yesterday the King was born as a man,:And today His servant is stoned to death.org/FSTropars:For the sake of Christ Holy Stephen became the first martyr.asp?ID=103659]

*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=/355 Stephen, Archdeacon & First Martyr] ([[GOARCH]])*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=/150 Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr] (GOARCH)