In sanctum Stephanum

On the holy protomartyr Stephen. All the contests of the martyrs are glorious, and the struggle of the righteous is admired everywhere; but where the celebrated stadium of Stephen the protomartyr is conducted, even the speechless tongue is roused to praise. For whom does the blessed Stephen not summon to praise, he who even by his appellation alone signifies his own dignity, and by his very name has already acquired the honor of victory? For in this name the martyr proclaims both the struggle, the victory, and the honor. Stephen, who is first in contests, first in praises, and preeminent in praises, he who follows in the footsteps of the Master and became the beginning of those who contend. For the Savior first cultivated him as a martyr for salvation; the death of Christ immediately persuaded him to despise even death itself; the side of the Master prompted him to pour out his own blood. For what he knew the Master suffered for servants, he endured to suffer for the Master himself, not waiting for an opportunity, not seeing predecessors, not beholding a struggle. Since he showed his own way of life to be in accordance, everywhere contending with the Master, and making his end similar, preserving, as a disciple, the order of the teacher. And observe the blessed one imitating the Master himself in both deeds and words. The power of signs glorified the Savior; the grace of the martyr is also blessed in this. For Stephen, it is said, full of grace and power, performed wonders and signs among the people.

The Lord is admired when he teaches, the martyr is praised when he speaks. For beginning from the vision concerning Abraham, and proceeding in order accordingly, he recalls the more significant persons and events, and introduces the prophecy concerning Christ, and shows that the Jews are always provoking God. But just as Christ had Pharisees contradicting him, so too the martyr had those from the synagogue opposing him. For some rose up, it is said, from the synagogue called that of the Libertines and Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and from those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen; and they were unable to withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. The Master is accused concerning the temple; the martyr is also slandered in this matter. For this man, they say, does not cease speaking words against this holy place and the law. The Master is crucified outside the city; the martyr is also stoned outside the city. For they cast him out of the city and stoned him. Jews crucify Christ, Jews also stone Stephen. The Master, when crucified, grants forgiveness: For Father, he says, forgive them this sin; for they do not know what they do.

The martyr makes a similar plea concerning them. For, it says, having bent his knees, he prayed, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, do not hold this sin against them." The martyr omitted nothing in following the Master, neither in words nor in deeds, but showed both the forbearance of his soul and the courage of his endurance; hence he is deemed worthy of this divine vision. For, it says, gazing into heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. This is a great arena of contests. For the athlete wrestles below, and the judge of the contest watches from the heavens; this one struggles here boxing, and that one above contends alongside him, standing. For he does not see the Savior seated, but standing. Oh, how great is the grace of this honor! The Master stands while the martyr contends. For the form and posture of the judge of the contest signify the magnitude of the contests. For the judges of the contests rise from their thrones when the heat of the contests is kindled; then the steadfastness of the contestants is tested, when the debt of honor is paid.

This is the honor of the Savior, that the martyr is honored even above the angels. For, it says, having gazed into heaven, he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He saw the invisible one, not only the place and glory, but also the one he longed for himself, where even the host of angels fears to peer. There the martyr fixes his gaze, where the Cherubim cover their faces, where the Seraphim dare not lift their eyes to the boundless height. He was therefore seen in this respect as superior to the angels, higher than the powers, beyond the thrones and dominions. For the voice of the Master drew him, having promised beforehand and saying: "Where I am, there my deacon shall be." This one is the first deacon of the Savior, as he is also the first martyr of the contest. And the strangeness of the events is that the martyrdom of this righteous man is accomplished not by fire, not by iron, not by beasts, nor by other terrors, but solely by the pelting of stones. Stephen had to be adorned only with stones, and to receive the grace of truth from the addition of stones. For as in a body of gold the pelting of stones was set, and especially in the head, which was bathed all around with blood. Therefore many, seeing this, became witnesses.

Stephen is beloved by those who contend, both procuring honor and teaching the contest; for he guides by his own struggles and exhorts by his own name. Therefore, even from his deeds, before Paul, he cries out: "Become my imitators, as I also imitated Christ. For I followed," he says, "in word, in life, and in death, the Master of all. Come, imitate also each of these things, accomplishing them together with me; for it is possible and beneficial for those who wish. And I am a witness, who both contended first after the Master and first in heaven beheld the hidden things. For I saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father, and I was observing that which had come to pass: The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I place your enemies as a footstool under your feet.' To him belongs glory and power unto the ages of ages. Amen.