Feast of St. Stephen - December 26

The Stoning of St. Stephen by Pietro Da Cotona, circa 1660. Currently in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

Today is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr described in the Acts of the Apostles and one of the first deacons. The church fathers write of him as first of the deacons just as Peter was first of the apostles.

The painting above depicts his stoning with Saul, who later became St. Paul, looking on and holding the cloaks of the crowd. Above is Stephen's vision of God the Father with Jesus the Son at his right hand.