St. Stephen the Martyr – Patron Saint of Deacons

St. Stephen the Martyr Biography

St. Stephen the Martyr is a saint of the Christian Church, who is recognized as the first Christian martyr. He is celebrated on December 26th in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches, and his feast day is considered one of the principal feasts in the Christian calendar.

Stephen is known primarily through the account of his martyrdom in the book of Acts in the New Testament. According to the Bible, Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church in Jerusalem and was known for his eloquence and wisdom. He attracted the attention of the religious authorities in Jerusalem and was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, on charges of blasphemy.

Despite the accusations, Stephen defended himself with great skill and delivered a powerful speech, in which he spoke of the history of the Jewish people and the coming of the Messiah. However, his defense fell on deaf ears, and the council ordered him to be stoned to death. He was the first person recorded in the New Testament to be martyred for the faith.

Stephen’s martyrdom is considered to be a significant event in the early Church as it was the first recorded persecution of the early Christian community and also it marks the end of the period of toleration for Christianity in Jerusalem, and a turning point in the relationship between the Jews and Christians.

After his death, Stephen was remembered and venerated as a martyr for the faith. His martyrdom is remembered in the liturgy of the Church, and his name is included in the litany of the saints. In art, he is often depicted holding a stone, the instrument of his death, or holding a martyr’s palm.

St. Stephen is considered the patron saint of deacons and stonemasons, and is invoked for the protection of the Church and for the strength to endure persecution. Many churches, hospitals, and other institutions are dedicated to him, and his cult has spread throughout the world.

He is also considered as one of the seven deacons appointed to help the apostles in Jerusalem according to the New Testament. He is known as a model of faith, courage, and eloquence, and his name was one of the first recorded among the Christian martyrs, in the canon of Saint Stephen in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church.

St. Stephen is an important figure in the Christian tradition and is remembered for his witness of faith and for the sacrifice of his life for the sake of the Gospel. His life and martyrdom continue to inspire the faithful in their own witness to the faith.

The Life of St. Stephen the Martyr

“There is no doubt that St. Stephen was one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ; for, immediately after the descent of the Holy Spirit, we find him perfectly instructed in the Christian teachings.

The First Deacon

After the Ascension seven Deacons were chosen for the Church, and the first one named was “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost”. His ministry was very fruitful, for he was “full of grace and fortitude”, and “did great wonders and signs among the people”. When the authorities found they could not withstand his arguments, they bribed witnesses, as in the case of Jesus Himself, to charge him with blasphemy against Moses and against God.

Upon this false charge he was dragged before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, and, after the ac. accusation had been read, Caiaphas, the High Priest, ordered him to make his defense. St. Stephen showed great courage and constancy, and with fiery eloquence reminded them of the prophecies, beginning with the books of Moses, concerning the Messiah, and how the sacrifices of the Temple were a figure, well understood by the Jewish doctors of the law, of a better and more perfect Sacrifice, which he showed to have been completed in the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

St. Stephen the First Martyr

Seeing their unbelief depicted on their countenances, St. Stephen the accused them in burning words of having rejected and slain those Prophets “who foretold the Just One; of Whom”, he said, “you are now the betrayers and murderers”. They were inflamed with anger, and gnashed their teeth against him. But St. Stephen was not frightened. “Filled with the Holy Ghost and looking up to heaven, he cried out, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

No longer able to contain themselves for fury and revenge, “Crying out with a loud voice, and stopping their ears, with one accord they ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city they stoned him”. “Falling on his knees he cried with a loud voice saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this he fell asleep in the Lord.” (Acts of the Apostles: chapters 6 and 7.) Such was the death of the first Martyr, “the Proto martyr”, as St. Stephen is called. 

St. Stephen the Patron Saint of Deacons

Today, the Catholic Church regards St. Stephen as the patron saint of deacons. St. Stephen was one of the first ordained deacons of the early Church and as such serves as a model for all ordained deacons today.

Popular St. Stephen the Martyr Medal and St. Stephen the Martyr Rosary

Prayers to St. Stephen the Martyr  

Prayer to Saint Stephen as Patron Saint

Saint Stephen, whom I have chosen as my special patron, pray for me that I, too, may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in heaven. Obtain for me your lively faith, that I may consider all persons, things, and events in the light of almighty God. Pray, that I may be generous in making sacrifices of temporal things to promote my eternal interests, as you so wisely did.

Set me on fire with a love for Jesus, that I may thirst for His sacraments and burn with zeal for the spread of His kingdom. By your powerful intercession, help me in the performance of my duties to God, myself and all the world.

Win for me the virtue of purity and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin. Protect me this day, and every day of my life. Keep me from mortal sin. Obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Amen

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Prayer to St. Stephen

Gracious Father,
who gave the first martyr Stephen
grace to pray for those who took up stones against him:
grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,
Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

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Prayer for the Intercession of St. Stephen

O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr for the Faith, filled with compassion for those who invoke you, with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection (mention your intention here).

Vouch safe to recommend it to our Lord Jesus. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the angels and saints praise Him through all eternity.

O most powerful Saint Stephen, Deacon and martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven, forever and ever.

Prayers to St. Stephen the Martyr

Dear St. Stephen the Martyr, you gave your life as a witness to your faith in Jesus Christ. I ask that you intercede for me and help me to live a life of faith and courage, even in the face of adversity.

Dear St. Stephen, you prayed for your oppressors as you were being stoned to death. I ask that you help me to forgive those who have wronged me and to pray for them, just as you did.

Dear St. Stephen, you were the first martyr of the Christian Church. I ask that you help me to remain strong in my faith, even in the midst of persecution and suffering.

Dear St. Stephen, you were full of grace and power, working great wonders and signs among the people. I ask that you help me to have a similar faith, that I may be a witness to others of the love and power of God.

Dear St. Stephen, you are now in heaven, in the presence of God. I ask that you pray for me, that I may one day join you there, to bask in the glory of the Lord forever and ever. Amen.

St. Stephen the Martyr: Patron Saint of Deacons and Stonemasons

St. Stephen the Martyr is the patron saint of deacons and stonemasons. He is venerated as the first Christian martyr, as recounted out in the New Testament book of Acts. According to the Bible, Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church and was known for his wisdom and eloquent speeches. He was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for preaching about Jesus, and was stoned to death for his beliefs.

The connection between St. Stephen and deacons lies in his role as one of the seven deacons chosen by the early Christian community to distribute food and help the widows and poor. His courage in the face of persecution and his unwavering faith serve as a model for deacons to this day.

The association with stonemasons comes from the account of his death, in which he was stoned to death. This led to St. Stephen becoming the patron saint of stonemasons, as their work often involves the use of stones. They see him as a symbol of courage and strength in the face of opposition and as an inspiration to work with dedication and integrity.

In summary, St. Stephen the Martyr is revered as the patron saint of deacons and stonemasons because of his role as one of the first deacons in the early Christian Church and his death by stoning. His unwavering faith and bravery in the face of persecution serve as a source of inspiration and guidance to those who follow in his footsteps.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Stephen the Martyr

The feast day of St. Stephen the Martyr is celebrated on December 26th.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Stephen the Martyr, we are reminded of his unwavering faith and devotion to God, even in the face of death. St. Stephen is a powerful example of what it means to be a true follower of Christ and to be willing to give our all for the sake of our faith.

As one of the first seven deacons chosen by the apostles, St. Stephen was known for his wisdom and his ability to perform miracles. He preached the word of God with great passion and conviction, and many were converted to Christianity through his witness. However, his teachings were met with fierce opposition from the religious leaders of the time, who accused him of blasphemy.

Despite the persecution he faced, St. Stephen remained steadfast in his faith. He did not back down or compromise his beliefs, but instead, he boldly proclaimed the truth of the gospel. His unwavering devotion to God ultimately led to his martyrdom, as he was stoned to death for his faith.

Through his sacrifice, St. Stephen reminds us of the cost of our faith and the importance of standing firm in our beliefs. His example teaches us that true faith is not just about what we believe, but about how we live our lives and what we are willing to give up for the sake of our faith. As we reflect on the life of St. Stephen, let us ask for his intercession and guidance as we strive to be faithful to God and to be willing to give our all for the sake of our faith.

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Also check out our handmade St. Stephen the Martyr Medal and St. Stephen the Martyr Rosary and St. Stephen the Martyr Rosary Bracelet .