Bringing the relics of St. First Mc. and Archid. Stephen; Right Gamaliel; The pious Emperor Justinian the Great; 9th Sunday after Pentecosttranslated

Orthodox calendar, August 2 Bringing the relics of Saint First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen After the stoning of the holy archdeacon Stefan, the martyr's body remained unburied for two days. The one who had the courage to take the saint's body and bury it was the learned Gamaliel.

He buried him in his grave, in the village of Cafargamala, approximately 32 km from Jerusalem. Through a divine miracle, after 400 years, the priest of the village of Cafargamala will learn about the existence of the tomb that housed the body of Saint Stephen.

The righteous Nicodemus, who had come to Christ at night, wept at the tomb of Saint Stephen until he moved to the Lord; and there, close to the martyr's tomb, Gamaliel buried him.

After this, Gamaliel also received Holy Baptism together with his son, Aviv. In the same cave, near the tomb of Stephen and Nicodemus, they buried them both.

By divine discovery, the holy relics of the Holy First Martyr and Archdeacon Stefan were found, and next to him the relics of the men who were pleasing to God, Nicodemus, Gamaliel and Aviv.

The tomb was opened, a service was held by Patriarch John of Jerusalem...