| Born | 1st century AD, Jerusalem, Roman Empire |
| Died | c. 34 AD, Antioch, Roman Empire |
| Name | Saint Stephen |
| Feast day | 26 December |
| Patronage | Deacons • Altar servers • Stonemasons |
| Attributes | Martyr's palm, stones (symbols of his martyrdom) |
| Major shrine | |
| Venerated in |
Saint Stephen, also known as Stephen the Protomartyr, was an early Christian missionary and martyr who lived in the 1st century AD. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of the early Christian church and its expansion across the Roman Empire.
Stephen was born around 5 AD in Jerusalem to a family of Hellenistic Jews, meaning they were Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture. As a young man, he became a deacon in the newly formed Christian church, serving as one of the first seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to oversee the community's charitable work.
According to Christian traditions, Stephen had a powerful conversion experience and began preaching the teachings of Jesus Christ with great fervor. He quickly became known for his eloquence, deep knowledge of scripture, and miraculous abilities, which stirred up controversy among the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem.
Facing increasing hostility, Stephen was forced to flee Jerusalem around 35 AD. He embarked on a missionary journey, traveling throughout the Mediterranean region to spread the Christian faith. Over the next several years, Stephen established numerous churches and monasteries, making many converts among both Jews and Gentiles.
Stephen's missionary activities brought him into conflict with the Roman authorities, who saw the spread of Christianity as a threat to the empire's traditional pagan religions. In 37 AD, while preaching in the city of Antioch, Stephen was arrested, put on trial, and condemned to death by stoning for blasphemy and sedition.
According to Christian tradition, as he was being executed, Stephen had a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God and used his final moments to pray for the forgiveness of his executioners. His courageous martyrdom inspired many early Christians and helped fuel the rapid growth of the faith throughout the Roman world.
After his death, Stephen was quickly venerated as the first Christian martyr, or "protomartyr." His feast day of December 26th, the day after Christmas, is celebrated by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is often depicted in Christian art carrying the palm frond, a symbol of martyrdom.
Numerous churches, monasteries, and charitable institutions across Europe were founded in Stephen's honor over the centuries. He is the patron saint of several modern jurisdictions, including the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Estepona in Spain and the Eastern Orthodox Eparchy of St. Stephen in Ujgorod in Ukraine.
Stephen's legacy as an early, influential Christian missionary and martyr has endured for over 2,000 years. He remains one of the most revered and important figures in the history of the Christian church.
