Saint Stephen

Saint Stephen (Koine Greek: Στέφανος, Stephanos; sometimes spelled "Stephan"), the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Stephen's name is derived from the Greek language Stephanos, meaning "crown". Traditionally, Stephen is invested with a crown of martyrdom; he is often depicted in art with three stones and the martyrs' palm. In Eastern Christian iconography, he is shown as a young, beardless man with a tonsure, wearing a deacon's vestments, and often holding a miniature church building or a censer. Rembrandt depicted his martyrdom in his work The Stoning of Saint Stephen.

Read more about Saint Stephen:  Hagiography, St Stephen At Bet Gemal, Tomb, Commemorative Places

Famous quotes containing the words saint and/or stephen:

    O my God, what must a soul be like when it is in this state! It longs to be all one tongue with which to praise the Lord. It utters a thousand pious follies, in a continuous endeavor to please Him who thus possesses it.
    Teresa Of Avila, Saint (1515–1582)

    I forsak the, Kyng Herowdes, and thi werkes alle;
    Ther is a chyld in Bedlem born is beter than we alle.’
    —Unknown. St. Stephen and King Herod (l. 6–8)