Saint Stephens Day 2018
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His place, though not unique in the annals of scripture is nonetheless significant as he was both a professor of Yeshua the Christ and influenced others who came later ... on top of being the first murdered for practicing his faith.
Saint Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith as written in the Book of Acts of the Apostles.
His teachings while a deacon in the early church in Jerusalem angered members of various synagogues whereby he was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death.
Saul of Tarsus who later became the Apostle Paul held the cloaks of those who stoned Saint Stephen.
There are fairly extensive accounts of his relics being found later which were exhumed from where they lay buried beneath a church.
The opening of his tomb at this time was accompanied by a sweet bouquet which permeated the local area and remained for an extended period.
Today is his feast day and is featured in the traditional Christmastide carol Good King Wenceslas which is about an episode in the life the Bohemian King Václav the Good prior to the time he too was who was murdered — by a group lead by his evil brother.
 Good King Wenceslas by the Brothers Dalziel |