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[[Image:ArchDeacon Stephen the Protomartyr.jpg|right|St. Stephen]]
The holy, glorious, all-laudable '''Apostle 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]].
==Feast Days/Commemorations==
As mentioned above, the main commemoration for St Stephen is December 27, the day of his repose by martyrdom(stoning). The Eastern 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]], the : 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.
<!--- == Characteristics of St Stephen ==
