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[[Image:StStephenIcon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Archdeacon An icon portraying St Stephen the Protomartyrpraying 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]].
== 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."
In the words of [[AsteriasActs of the Apostles]]:St , 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 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 starting point whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the martyrsHoly Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the instructore apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of suffering for ChristGod spread, and the foundation number of righteous confessionthe disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, since and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen was , full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the first people." In addition to shed St Stephen's [[philanthropic]] labors, the [[Holy Spirit]] worked powerfully through his blood for faith, enabling him to perform many [[miracle]]s and to defeat the GospelJews who disputed with him."
The [[Holy Spirit]] 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 powerfully through his faithhim, enabling him to perform many and even rebuked the Jews for killing the innocent [[miracleChrist]]s and always defeat the Jews who would dispute with him.
== Relics ==
== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''
== See also ==
*[[Philanthropy]]
==External links==
[[Category:Seventy Apostles|Stephen]]
[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints|Stephen]]
[[Category:1st-century saints]]
[[el:Στέφανος ο πρωτομάρτυρας]]
[[pt:Apóstolo Estêvão]][[ro:Apostolul Ştefan Ștefan (Întâiul-mucenic)]][[Media:Example.ogg]]