Category:Saint Stephen

Stephen was one of the first deacons and the first Christian martyr; his day is celebrated as a feast on December 26. In the Acts of the Apostles the name of St. Stephen occurs for the first time on the occasion of the appointment of the first deacons (Acts 6:5). Dissatisfaction concerning the distribution of alms from the community's fund having arisen in the Church, seven men were selected and specially ordained by the Apostles to take care of the temporal relief of the poorer members. Of these seven, Stephen is the first mentioned and the best known. He was stoned to death after he was accused before the Sanhedrin, probably about the year 37.

Saint Stephen - Deacon - Protomartyr Died:	c. 34, Jerusalem Honored in: Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodox Church Eastern Catholic Churches Lutheran Church Anglican Church Ukrainian Catholic Church Feast: 26 December (Western) 27 December (Eastern) Attributes: stones, dalmatic, censer, miniature church, Gospel Book, martyr's palm, orarion Patronage: casket makers; deacons; Altar Servers; headaches; horses; masons; Serbia