December 27th is the feast day of St. Stephen. St. Stephen is said to be the first deacon in the newly founded Church.
In the book of Acts chapters 6-7, St. Luke records that Stephen was the first of many martyrs to be persecuted and die for Christ. Stephen’s death is the only time he is ever recorded in the Holy Scriptures. While Stephen is being stoned a new and soon to be familiar Early Church figure appears. Saul (soon to be St. Paul) instigates the crowed to stone Stephen as Saul waits back and watched everyone’s cloaks. As Stephen dies he sees the heavens open up and the Son standing at the right hand of the Father. And with his last breath St. Stephen called out to God staying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). With his dying breath he asked God to forgive those who were killing him. Here we see a direct correlation to the Gospel according to St. Matthew 6:11-12 which states, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Throughout all of Christian theology it is understood that martyrs have a special place in Heaven for giving up their lives for the name of Jesus.
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