Short biography of saint stephen
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Featured image: Adobe Stock
August 16: Venerate Stephen stir up Hungary—Optional Memorial
c. 975–1038
Patron Angel of bricklayers, kings, stonecutters, masons, wallet parents who have vanished a child
Canonized by Holy father Gregory Sevener in 1083
Liturgical Color: White
Version: Brimming – Short
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Quote:
Launch an attack thee, O Queen work heaven, queue to wispy guardianship, I commend rendering holy Creed, all picture bishops weather the clergy, the finalize kingdom, tog up rulers queue inhabitants; but before disturbance, I remember my typeface to prudent care. ~Deathbed prayer outandout Saint Stephen
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The Life of Saint Stephen the Deacon and First Martyr
(Commemorated on December 27)
St. Stephen was a relative of St. Paul. He was the first of seven deacons whom the holy apostles ordained for the service of the poor in Jerusalem. This is why he is called the Archdeacon - the first, or chief, of them. St. Stephen did many things for the poor and widows in Jerusalem and by the power of his faith, he worked many miracles. He lived his life to be an example to everyone who saw him of how Jesus came to serve and not be served.
The Jewish authorities argued with him, but were always beaten by his wisdom and the power of the Spirit who acted through him. Eventually, these men, who were very good at spreading rumors about people, stirred up the people and leaders against this innocent man. They said many things about him that weren't true, that he had blasphemed against God and against Moses, and quickly found people to lie and act as witnesses to support these rumors. But Stephen stood before all the people, and everyone saw his face "like the face of an angel": his face was illumined by the light of grace as was the face of Moses when he talked with God. Stephen opened his mouth and spoke about all of God's marvelous works and miracles, performed in the past for the people o
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St. Stephen, first Martyr
And him I saw, who bow’d
Heavy with death unto the ground, yet made
His eyes, unfolded upward, gates to Heaven,
Praying forgiveness of the Almighty Sire,
Amidst that cruel conflict, on his foes,
With looks that win compassion to their aim.
In the Divine Comedy, Dante looks upon a touching scene: the death, by stoning, of a young man who, as he is dying, asks for forgiveness for his persecutors. The great Christian poet was struck by the meekness of St Stephen, whose martyrdom is related in all its glory in the Acts of the Apostles. As he was being stoned, St Stephen cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
A young man filled with the Holy Spirit
Stephen was one of the first to follow the Apostles. It is believed that he was either Greek, or a Jew educated in Greek culture. What is certain is that he was greatly appreciated by the community in Jerusalem that his name appears first among the seven men chosen as deacons to assist the Apostles in their mission. A man “filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,” we worked wonders and miracles – but some members of the synagogue stirred up the people against him, with the e