SAINT ETIAN

SAINT ETIAN

Saint Stephen (or Stephen the Protomartyr) is a major figure in Christian history: he is recognized as the very first martyr of Christendom (the word « protomartyr » literally means « first witness »).

His story is told in the New Testament, specifically in chapter 6 and 7 of the book of Acts of the Apostles.

His role in the early Church

Stephen lived in Jerusalem in the first century. He was a Hellenist Jew (of Greek culture) converted to Christianity. Faced with the rapid development of the first Christian community, the Apostles found themselves overwhelmed by the distribution of food to widows and the poor. They then appointed seven wise and upright men, called deacons, to manage this material aid. Stephen was the first of them.

His trial and death

In addition to his deacon role, Stephen was a brilliant speaker. His speeches deeply aggravate some local synagogues. Accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, he was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish religious court).

Instead of defending himself, Stephen gave a long historical speech in which he strongly criticized the religious authorities for having always persecuted the prophets. Curious, the crowd led him out of the walls of Jerusalem and stoned him by stoning at the year 34 or 35 C.E.

In churches, paintings or statues, Saint Stephen is very easy to identify thanks to specific attributes:

 Stones laid on his head, on his shoulders, or on a part of his garment (symbol of his death).

 The palm of the martyrdom he holds in his hand.

 Deacon's habit.