Saint Stephen

Saint Stephen

Saint Stephen shown with rocks on his head and shoulders ©

St Stephen's Day is December 26.

Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons of the Christian Church. He was the first Christian martyr.

Other facts in brief

• His name, Stephenos in Greek, means 'crown'.
• He is believed to have been a Greek Jew who later converted to Christianity.
• He was an excellent and well trusted orator.
• When the number of disciples increased, there was much confusion over the distribution of alms and the serving of the poor. Stephen's trustworthy character marked him out, and he was chosen as one of the seven deacons who would perform this task.
• His preaching style was so effective that many Jews became worried about his success. They accused him of blasphemy and he was made to stand trial.
• At the supreme Jewish law court, the Sanhedrin, Stephen recounted the many mercies that God had given the children of Israel, and the ungrateful way in which they had repaid Him. He accused them of murdering Jesus, whose coming, he said, had been foretold by Moses. This angered the crowd and he was dragged out onto the streets. He was then stoned to death according to the law at that time.
• His stoning was witnessed by St Paul.
• Saint Stephen is often represented carrying a pile of rocks or with rocks on his head.
• He is believed to have been initially buried in a grave to the north of Jerusalem, but this body was exhumed and moved to a new grave outside the Damascus Gate. This is where the stoning is believed to have taken place.
• He is the patron saint of deacons, headaches, horses, coffin makers, and masons.

Find out more

• Christian history