St. Stephen

Saint Stephen

Saint Stephen is venerated as the first martyr of the Christian Church, which is why he is also called the protomartyr. His story has inspired Christians since the early centuries.

According to tradition, he was born in the year 1 A.D. and was a Hellenistic Jew, meaning of Jewish origin but Greek-speaking. He was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to serve the poor in the Christian community of Jerusalem.

Stephen stood out for his great charisma and his powerful preaching of the Gospel. He cared for the needy, especially widows and the poor. His success caused jealousy among other Hellenistic Jews, who falsely accused him before the Sanhedrin.

During the trial, Stephen gave a brilliant speech that angered the judges. According to legend, his face shone like that of an angel, and the judge ordered his execution by stoning. Dragged outside the city walls, he was stoned to death while praying and forgiving his persecutors.

It is said that one of the accusers was Saul, the future apostle Saint Paul. His remains were initially buried in Jerusalem and later transferred to Rome, to the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls.

Over time, many popular traditions grew around Saint Stephen, such as the blessing of animals, oats, and the preparation of the “Bread of Saint Stephen”. The feast day on December 26 is celebrated as a holiday in many countries.

Iconography:
depicted as a deacon, with a palm, stones, Gospels, during the stoning, sometimes with Saint Lawrence and Saint Vincent of Saragossa.

Feast day:
December 26

Patronage:
of Prato, Biella, horses, grooms, coachmen, carpenters, tailors, masons, coopers, stonemasons, weavers; for a good death; against headaches, spleen pain, kidney stones, obsession.