Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Saint Stephen's Day

Israhel van Meckenem (1445-1503), St. Stephen, engraving, circa 1480-1490.

In Acts of the Apostles, Stephen alarms the Jews with his preaching that the true temple is in the heart. He is charged with blasphemy, for which the penalty is stoning. Execution must take place outside the walls of Jerusalem; and Stephen is the first of Christ's followers to be martyred. Since Stephen was not one of the canonical 12 Apostles, he was considered to be a deacon.