St. Stephen, the Protomartyr and Archdeacon

He was the first one of the seven chosen by the apostles to minister to the poor. He had been educated under the renowned rabbinical teacher, Gamaliel, as was his relative, Saul, who came to be known as the Apostle Paul. Stephen had been trained in the scriptures and now debated the Jews in the temple, with whom he had once studied. He also worked miracles among the people by his prayers, Stephen was slandered by the Jews, who said that he blasphemed against God and Moses.

Stephen stood before them, his face resplendent with light, and his words can be read in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 7. He spoke of God's works and the transgressions of the Israelites. When he denounced them for the murder of Jesus, they drove him from the city and stoned him. His last words were, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." His relative, Saul, whom Jesus had not yet converted, stood by, and at a distance the Theotokos and John the Theologian witnessed the first martyrdom for Christianity. She prayed for him. This was said to have happened on the first anniversary of Pentecost. His teacher, Gamaliel, secretly buried him.