St Stephen

The etymology of the name Stephen derives from the Ancient Greek and means “crowned”. About Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is not known with certainty the provenance. He is thought to be of Greek origin, or a Jewish connoisseur of the Hellenistic language and culture. If so, surely Stephen was one of the first Jews who followed Christianity, playing the role of Deacon of Jerusalem. St. Stephen is often depicted holding or with a group of stones which were the cause of his death and martyrdom by stoning at the instigation of the Sanhedrin, as witnessed by St Paul. His celebration day is 26th December.