Stephen, Saint, was the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death outside Jerusalem some time after the Crucifixion. His story is told in the Acts of the Apostles 6: 1 to 8: 2.
Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to take over certain practical duties in the church in Jerusalem. These deacons were all Greek-speaking Jewish Christians. Stephen was the spokesman for this group. The New Testament portrays him as an inspired figure who speaks on behalf of God. His speech before the Jewish authorities, reported in Acts 7, criticized Israel for being slow to accept any dramatic, unexpected action by God. The speech angered a mob, which stoned him to death. Stephen’s feast day is December 26.
