Feast of St stephen, the patron saint
St Stephen
Yesterday we celebrated the birth of our Savior our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier St Stephen. The church everywhere flourishes through the glorious deeds of the holy Martyrs. On the cross Jesus purchased our salvation with His blood and the martyrs paid back the price of Christ paid for them, thus fulfilling the words of St. John: just as Christ laid down his life for us, we too must lay down our lives for our brothers.
We see the narration of the Martyrdom of St Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. Stephen was one among the seven deacons who were ordained by the Apostles. Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people. When the authority seized him and when they were sentencing him Stephen’s face seemed like that of an Angel.
When he was sentenced to death Stephen saw the heaven opened and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. As Stephen was being stoned he could be heard praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit.” He fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
The Love that brought Christ from Heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven. Love and forgiveness was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his name. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. In acts 6 we read the witnesses meanwhile ere piling their cloaks at the feet of young man name Saul. Strengthened by the power of his love, he overcame the raging cruelty of Saul and won his persecutor on earth as his companion in Heaven.
Love and forgiveness, indeed are the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: Love guides him , protects him, and brings him to his journey’s end.
St Fulgentius of Ruspe said: “ My brothers and sisters, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven> Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.
Happy feast of our Patron saint St Stephen. May he help us to forgive all our enemies and love God and our Neighbors?
Yesterday we celebrated the birth of our Savior our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier St Stephen. The church everywhere flourishes through the glorious deeds of the holy Martyrs. On the cross Jesus purchased our salvation with His blood and the martyrs paid back the price of Christ paid for them, thus fulfilling the words of St. John: just as Christ laid down his life for us, we too must lay down our lives for our brothers.
We see the narration of the Martyrdom of St Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. Stephen was one among the seven deacons who were ordained by the Apostles. Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people. When the authority seized him and when they were sentencing him Stephen’s face seemed like that of an Angel.
When he was sentenced to death Stephen saw the heaven opened and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. As Stephen was being stoned he could be heard praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit.” He fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
The Love that brought Christ from Heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven. Love and forgiveness was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his name. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. In acts 6 we read the witnesses meanwhile ere piling their cloaks at the feet of young man name Saul. Strengthened by the power of his love, he overcame the raging cruelty of Saul and won his persecutor on earth as his companion in Heaven.
Love and forgiveness, indeed are the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: Love guides him , protects him, and brings him to his journey’s end.
St Fulgentius of Ruspe said: “ My brothers and sisters, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven> Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.
Happy feast of our Patron saint St Stephen. May he help us to forgive all our enemies and love God and our Neighbors?
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