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Let's remember St. Stephen today, who he was, and how he became the first Christian martyr. Why is his feast celebrated on December 26 and not today or tomorrow when we have the readings about his martyrdom? And following Stephen's story, let's see what is in it for us.
In the early Christian church, all followers of Jesus attended the temple. The Apostles taught them to break bread and pray together. Possessions and property were sold and held for the benefit of everyone according to their needs. But soon a dispute arose over food distribution.
Food wasn't being distributed fairly to Greek widows. The Apostles were told about this so the problem could be fixed. The Apostles suggested that Greek groups appoint seven men filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit to ensure fair and equal food distribution.
This is our first meeting with Stephen. He performed great signs and wonders and was full of grace and power. He also went out teaching and preaching in synagogues and spoke with power and authority that could not be denied.
The people of these synagogues accused him of blasphemy. They took him before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem and set up false witnesses who claimed that Stephen had said that Jesus will destroy the temple and do away with the law of Moses.
Jesus remained silent when charges were brought against him, but Stephen launched into a long and powerful speech, not in his defense but, as it turns out, accusing the people of Israel of idolatry and blasphemy. The speech was inflammatory, and it enraged the Sanhedrin and others listening.
That was the last straw, all hell broke out, and Stephen was dragged off, probably thrown into a pit, and stoned. A very cruel punishment and a terrible way to die. That is the end of his story from the Bible. But there is more to it. The following is from the National Catholic Register:
In 415, Lucian, a priest from Jerusalem, was sleeping in the baptistery of his church. His baptistery doubled as his bedroom to protect the sacred vessels from theft, which was common.
Half asleep, he saw an elderly man walking toward him and calling him by name. The old man said, "I am Gamaliel, who instructed Paul in the law." The same Gamaliel saved St. Peter and St. John's lives. It is said that Gamaliel had become a Christian secretly.
During his appearance to Lucian, Gamaliel told him the location of St. Stephen's tomb, which had been lost for centuries. Gamaliel buried Stephen's body in a tomb he had prepared for him and his family in Caphargamala (modern-day Beir Jimal, Israel). The lost tomb was not far from Lucian's church.
He also revealed that he (Gamaliel) and Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night and who assisted Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus’ body in Joseph's tomb, were also buried in the same tomb as St. Stephen.
Gamaliel was sent to Lucian by God so he could enshrine the relics in churches so that God could open its gates to many. Gamaliel instructed Lucian to carry the relics to the Holy City after witnessing the opening of St. Stephen's tomb.
Lucian did not want to be gullible. He was only half awake when he had this vision; or maybe it was only a dream. He prayed for guidance and put off seeing Patriarch John. Gamaliel returned three weeks later and rebuked Lucian. Lucian was convinced this time that the vision was real. He delayed no longer and called upon the patriarch. John the Patriarch instructed him to excavate to find out if what Lucian said was true.
Lucian found the remains of the three saints. Patriarch John and a large crowd of clergy and faithful came to the tomb. St. Stephen's bones were placed in a chest. More than 70 witnesses suffering from serious ailments were healed as he did so. St. Stephen's relics were recovered on December 26, 415, and so, we celebrate the feast of
St. Stephen on December 26.
The story of St. Stephen teaches us the importance of courage and unwavering faith in the face of opposition. May the example of forgiveness and love for his enemies inspire us even in difficult circumstances.
Father Boby John, C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008, worked as a pastor and as an educator with tribal populations in Northeast India for thirteen years. Originally from Kerala, India, Father Boby grew up with three siblings. He is a dedicated and detailed educationist with experience in educational leadership. He is currently working as an executive assistant at the world headquarters of Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, Massachusetts.
