Orthodox Icon of St. Stephen the Protomartyr & Archdeacon

Saint Stephen
Protomartyr & Archdeacon COPYRIGHTED ART. Do not copy or deep-link to without prior permission from "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art.

December 27th
Troparion (Tone 4)
Because of all you have endured for Christ our God, you have been given a royal crown, O First and Holy Martyr Stephen! You have put your persecutors to shame and have seen your Savior enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Do not cease to intercede for the salvation of our souls.

Stephen was the first of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to minister to the material needs of the community at a time when Christians were moved to sell their property and bring their money to the Apostles for distribution among the poor. He is also the very first martyr. As he was being arrested, he had a vision of Christ at God's right hand. This so enraged the crowd that they skipped the trial and stoned him then and there. His persecutors placed their clothes at the feet of Saul (later St. Paul), who consented to his murder.

This Icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas. It is the North Deacon's Door at St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church in Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Order # phi-09