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Greek Name Days

1st century

Saint Stephen the Protomartyr

One of the seven deacons and the first martyr of the Church.

27 December

Biography

According to the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the early Church in Jerusalem to care for the poor.

He was accused before the Sanhedrin and stoned outside the city, which is why he is honoured as the Church's first martyr. Saul — later the Apostle Paul — was present at his stoning.

Sources and further reading