On this second day of our Christmas Octave (eight days) we celebrate the first martyr St Stephen. Happy Feast day to all Stephen's in the parish and readers of our blog. Our entry today is taken from the Lancaster Cathedral's website, each week there is information about a saint whose feast we will celebrate in the week ahead. This provides a chance to learn about different saints and martyrs.
All that is known of St Stephen is related in the Act of the Apostles. He was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to distribute alms to the faithful and to preach. "…[F]illed with grace and power" (Acts 6:8) Stephen was a man of such great wisdom and learning that his detractors found it impossible to outwit him. While preaching, Stephen was arrested and brought before the members of the Sanhedrin "…who all looked intently at Stephen, and his face appeared to them like the face of angel". (Acts 6:15). He was accused of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). In turn he accused his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit and of killing the Christ as their fathers had killed the prophets (Acts 7:51-53). During his trial he saw a vision: "I can see heaven thrown open" he said "and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God". Stephen was then driven from the city and stoned. As he died Stephen prayed "Lord do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Those who witnessed his martyrdom put their cloaks down at the feet of a young man called Saul who "entirely approved of the killing". (Acts 8:1)
St Stephen
the Proto-Martyr
Died c.33 Feast Day: 26th December
All that is known of St Stephen is related in the Act of the Apostles. He was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to distribute alms to the faithful and to preach. "…[F]illed with grace and power" (Acts 6:8) Stephen was a man of such great wisdom and learning that his detractors found it impossible to outwit him. While preaching, Stephen was arrested and brought before the members of the Sanhedrin "…who all looked intently at Stephen, and his face appeared to them like the face of angel". (Acts 6:15). He was accused of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). In turn he accused his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit and of killing the Christ as their fathers had killed the prophets (Acts 7:51-53). During his trial he saw a vision: "I can see heaven thrown open" he said "and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God". Stephen was then driven from the city and stoned. As he died Stephen prayed "Lord do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Those who witnessed his martyrdom put their cloaks down at the feet of a young man called Saul who "entirely approved of the killing". (Acts 8:1)
Patronage: Deacons, casket makers, headaches, horses, masons.
St Thomas More's Crib
Below the Travelling crib that has been visiting families throughout Advent made its final resting place at St Thomas More's.
Below the Travelling crib that has been visiting families throughout Advent made its final resting place at St Thomas More's.
