ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR (DEC. 26TH)

 

St. Stephen the Protomartyr

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today, on the 26th of December, we commemorate the First Martyr of the Church, one of the First Deacons of the Church, and one of the First Christian Evangelists in Christian History - St. Stephen the Protomartyr! Today marks one of the most joyous feasts in the 12 Days of Christmas, a day when children would traditionally go caroling from house to house in the name of the glorious saint, recounting his life and death, and receiving sweets and hot drinks in memory of his great sacrifice for the love of Christ and the preaching of the Gospel!

Scripture tells us his story in Acts 7:54-60 - 

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 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 stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the 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.

Illuminated Icon of St. Stephen's Martyrdom

Collect:

ALMIGHTY GOD, grant that in all our sufferings here upon the earth, for the testimony of Thy truth, we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors, by the example of Thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to Thee, O God, and now standest before Thy throne with all the company of martyrs. Hear Thy martyrs’ cries and succor all those that suffer for Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!