Saint Stephen’s name first appears in “The Acts of the Apostles” (Acts 6:5) when he is appointed one of the first deacons of the new church. He and six others were selected and ordained by the Apostles to take care of giving aid to elderly widows and other poor members within the Church community. Stephen was also recognized for his gift as an evangelist.
Around 35 CE, Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin and tried for blasphemy against God and speaking against the Temple and the Law of Moses. Being found guilty, Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob encouraged by Saul of Tarsus (the future Saint Paul).
As Stephen was dying, he experienced a unique theophany (the appearance of God), unique in that he saw both the Father and the Son.
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56) |
