Saint Stephen, Archdeacon of Jerusalem and first Christian Martyr. Commemorated December 27th
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The Stoning of Stephen "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
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Vienna, Austria: St. Stephen's Cathedral
Stephen, traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity, was according to the Acts of the Apostles a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who aroused the enmity of members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy, at his trial, he made a long speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. His martyrdom was witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who would later become a follower of Jesus and known as Paul the Apostle.