St. Stephen was the first Christian to die for his faith in Jesus.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles went about preaching the good news. As Christian communities grew, there arose a need to care for widows and the poor in the name of the community. The apostles, being busy with preaching, asked the communities to recommend seven men to serve the poor. Stephen was one of those seven; the apostles laid hands on these people and ordained them as the first deacons.

Stephen spoke about the faith with great wisdom and eloquence, and he was successful in winning many to Christianity. Enemies of the Church were angry that he was converting others and they tried to argue with him, but it didn’t work. They then found someone to lie and charge him with blasphemy.

He was taken to face a great assembly, and he remained calm and collected and defended his faith, claiming that Jesus is the Son of God and the fulfillment of God’s promises. He even scolded his opponents for their refusal to see the truth.

Fulgentius of Ruspe, a fifth-century bishop, wrote about Stephen’s martyrdom:

“Love was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his name. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment. […] Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven.”

At that, they all became incensed and they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen remained faithful to the end, crying out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He knelt and begged God to forgive those who were killing him. St. Paul was among the crowd who opposed Stephen and witnessed his martyrdom.

A number of Stephen’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. His relics also rest in the main altar of the Basilica. This stained glass image of him stands in the chapel in the new Stayer Center for Executive Education.

St. Stephen, first Christian to die for your faith in Jesus—pray for us!