. "Saint Stephen, a devoted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, was the first of Christ's followers to die a martyr\u2019s death. Because of this, he has been given the honorary title, \"Protomartyr\" [First Martyr]."@en . . . "Saint Stephen (Koine Greek: \u03A3\u03C4\u03AD\u03C6\u03B1\u03BD\u03BF\u03C2, Stephanos), known as the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Stephen means \"wreath\" or \"crown\" in Greek. He was one of the first in the early Church to bear the title Archdeacon."@en . "Saint Stephen was the first deacon of the One True Church, the first martyr for Jesus, the First King of Hungaria, and the first great prophet of truthiness. He was pretty fucking holy, is all I'm trying to say."@en . . "Saint Stephen was the first deacon of the One True Church, the first martyr for Jesus, the First King of Hungaria, and the first great prophet of truthiness. He was pretty fucking holy, is all I'm trying to say."@en . "Saint Stephen"@en . "Deacon and Protomartyr"@en . . . . . "c. 35"@en . . "--12-26"^^ . . . . . . "Saint Stephen"@en . . . . . . "Acoma Indian Pueblo; casket makers; Cetona, Italy; deacons; headaches; horses; Kessel, Belgium; masons; Owensboro, Kentucky; Passau, Germany; Serbia; Republic of Srpska; Prato, Italy http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-stephen-the-martyr/"@en . . . . . . "The Protomartyr and Archdeacon"@en . . "Saint Stephen (Koine Greek: \u03A3\u03C4\u03AD\u03C6\u03B1\u03BD\u03BF\u03C2, Stephanos), known as the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Stephen means \"wreath\" or \"crown\" in Greek. He was one of the first in the early Church to bear the title Archdeacon."@en . . "St. Stephen by Giacomo Cavedone 1601"@en . . . "stones, dalmatic, censer, miniature church, Gospel Book, martyr's palm. In Eastern Christianity he often wears an orarion"@en . . . . . . "1"^^ . . . "Saint Stephen, a devoted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, was the first of Christ's followers to die a martyr\u2019s death. Because of this, he has been given the honorary title, \"Protomartyr\" [First Martyr]. Very little is known about Saint Stephen except for what we read in the book of Acts. We learn here that Stephen was appointed head deacon of the early Church at a time when food distribution needed careful administration; and how he became the target of a certain Jewish sect, who, upon hearing him speaking out boldly about the risen Lord, decided to challenge him. After failing to discredit Stephen\u2019s testimony about Jesus, they plotted to have him killed. Stephen\u2019s martyrdom helps Christians understand the incredible challenges that early Christians faced in trying to get Christ's message across to the people, as well as the love and deep devotion which Christ's followers had for Him, the mediator of the new religion, and the religion itself. Christians are encouraged by Stephen\u2019s bold stand against his accusers even when facing death. We also learn from this event, the length to which leaders of the period would go in order to suppress the gospel, especially when their traditions are stake."@en . . . . "200"^^ . "--12-27"^^ . "--12-27"^^ .