Today, 26 December, is St Stephen’s Day.
St Stephen or San Esteban, was the first martyred (proto martyr) Christian.
Stoning & Martyrdom of Stephen – Saint Stephen, painting by Giorgio Vasari
Stephen’s name is derived from the Greek language Stephanos, meaning “crown”. Paul of Tarsus apparently was present when St Stephen was stoned to death. Paul later converted to the proto Christian religion and because of his new belief was also martyred becoming St Paul.
Stephen was martyred because he refused to denounce his new religion.
While on trial, St Stephen experienced a theophany (vision) in which he saw both God the Father and God the Son and uttered.
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing sits on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
His vision of Christ standing differs from other Scripture which indicates Jesus sits at the right hand of God – perhaps implying that Christ stood in honor of Stephen whose martyrdom was near. 26 December is called “St. Stephen’s Day” in Western Christianity.
The Day of St Stephen
More about St Stephen:
St Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early Christian Church.
He was a Jew, who converted to Christianity. He loved nothing better than dialogue with other Jews about Christianity.
It was his conviction that finally got him into trouble. He was charged with blasphemy and taken before the high priests.
Ultimately he was run out of town and pelted to death with stone. To his last dying breath, he only had forgiveness against his aggressors.