[[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]].

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.

The Jews in At this point, the book of Acts tells us, the people were enraged by what they thought was blasphemy and "gnashed their hatred teeth" at Stephen. "But he, being full of St. Stephen lied about him to the peopleHoly Spirit, but St. Stephen with his face illumined reminded gazed into heaven and saw the people glory of God, and Jesus standing at the miracles right hand of God had worked through , 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 even rebuked stoned him. And the Jews for killing witnesses laid down their clothes at the innocent [[Christ]]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)

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 Soon after this, the Jews took him outside young Jewish leader named Saul turned to Christ and became known as the city and stoned him to death, with his kinsman Saul (later St. [[Apostle Paul]]) holding their coats while they did it. Afar  Church tradition holds that, at the time of Stephen's martyrdom, far off on a hill was at this time, stood 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  St Stephen's martyrdom occurred about a year after the first [[Pentecost]].

The body of the holy Protomartyr Stephen, was left to be consumed by 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 took the body to his own estate, in Capharganda, to be buried.

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 (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, 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.

[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103659Holy Tradition]

:O Protomartyr First Martyr and mighty warrior of Apostle Of Christ our God,:You are victorious in battle and crowned with glory, O holy Stephen!Thou hadst fought the good fight.:You confounded And didst expose the council perversion of your the persecutors,:Beholding your Savior enthroned For when thou wast killed by stoning at the hands of wicked men,:Thou didst receive a crown from the right hand of the Father.on high,:Never cease And didst cry out to [[intercession|intercede]] for the salvation of our soulsGod saying,:"O Lord do not charge this sin against them!"

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=103659Holy Tradition]

:Yesterday the Master assumed our flesh and became our guest;came to us as a man,:And today his servant departs from life.:Yesterday the King was born as a man,:Today And today His servant is stoned to death and departs in the flesh,.:The glorious Protomartyr For the sake of Christ Holy Stephenbecame the first martyr.

*[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)

[[pt:Apóstolo Estêvão]][[ro:Apostolul Ştefan Ștefan (Întâiul-mucenic)]]