“And they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'” (Acts 7:58-59)
The life and martyrdom of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, shine as a perpetual witness to the transformative power of divine grace and the radical demands of discipleship. His words and deeds resonate with the teachings of Christ and the prophetic tradition he fulfilled. Let us reflect on his example through the lens of Scripture and the wisdom of the Church Fathers.
Stephen’s Ministry: A Mirror of Christ
Acts 6:8-10 portrays St. Stephen as “full of grace and power,” working great wonders and signs among the people. Like Christ, Stephen was a preacher and a healer, confronting those resistant to the Gospel. His disputants “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke,” an echo of Christ’s words in Matthew 10:19-20: “Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say… For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
St. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Acts, marvels at the courage of Stephen:
“He shone forth not by human power but by the divine Spirit within him. His face was like that of an angel because he bore Christ within his soul.”
This radiance, reflecting the divine indwelling, reminds us that holiness is not self-derived but a gift bestowed by union with Christ.
The Martyrdom: Christ-like Forgiveness
In Acts 7:54-59, Stephen’s death parallels Christ’s Passion. Both are falsely accused by religious authorities, led outside the city, and pray for their persecutors in their final moments. St. Augustine, in his Exposition on the Psalms, remarks:
“The imitation of Christ was so perfect in Stephen that even his last words echoed the forgiveness of the Cross. He loved those who hated him, that they might become his brethren in faith.”
Stephen’s prayer, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60), exemplifies the radical forgiveness that Christ commands in Matthew 5:44. It is a forgiveness that transcends human strength, rooted in divine love. His death sowed the seeds of conversion, most notably in Saul, who would become St. Paul. As Tertullian famously said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
Prophetic Rebuke: The Price of Truth
In Matthew 23:34-39, Christ laments Jerusalem’s rejection of the prophets, foretelling the persecution of His messengers. “Behold, I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify.” St. Stephen fulfilled this prophecy, confronting the leaders of his time with their resistance to the Holy Spirit. His speech in Acts 7 traces Israel’s history of rejecting God’s messengers, culminating in their betrayal of the Righteous One.
Origen, in his Commentary on Matthew, reflects on Christ’s lament over Jerusalem:
“God weeps for the stubbornness of man, yet His mercy remains. He sends prophets and martyrs, not to condemn, but to call them to repentance.”
Stephen’s witness, though rejected by his audience, becomes a clarion call to conversion for all who hear his story.
Stephen’s Legacy: Witness and Intercession
St. Stephen’s martyrdom challenges us to examine our own discipleship. Do we, like Stephen, bear witness to Christ with courage and love, even in the face of opposition? Are we willing to forgive those who wrong us, trusting that God can bring good from our suffering?
St. Gregory of Nyssa, in his Homily on St. Stephen, exhorts us to emulate the Protomartyr:
“Let us too gaze upon the heavens opened and strive for the crown of martyrdom, whether in blood or in spirit. For every act of love, every word of truth, is a step toward union with Christ.”
Conclusion: The Call to Martyrdom Today
St. Stephen’s witness remains profoundly relevant. In a world that often rejects the Gospel, we are called to proclaim Christ boldly, forgive radically, and trust unwaveringly in God’s providence. As we honor the Protomartyr, let us pray for the grace to live as he did: with a heart full of faith, a spirit of charity, and a vision fixed on the glory of God.
St. Stephen, pray for us, that we may endure in faith and love, and like you, behold the heavens opened and see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.