On the Holy First Martyr Stephen

All martyrs are glorified, and the exploits of the righteous everywhere serve as a source of wonder, but when remembering the most glorious exploit of the First Martyr Stephen, even the silent tongue rises to praise. Who will not be called to praise by blessed Stephen, who by his very name indicates his merits, who by his very name has already acquired the honor of victory? Here the very name of the martyr expresses struggle, victory, and honor. Stefan is the first in the competition, the first among praise, the chosen one, following in the footsteps of the Lord, becoming the leader of the ascetics. The Savior, as a farmer, made him a martyr for salvation; he was the first to be prompted by the death of Christ to despise death itself; the side of the Lord pointed him to shed his own blood. What he knew about the Lord’s suffering for the slaves, he himself endured for the Lord, without choosing any opportunity, without having any predecessors, without seeing the struggle. Since he showed that he follows his custom - to be an associate of the Lord in everything and to receive an end similar to Him, then, as a student, he is guided in everything by the example of the Teacher. And see how the blessed one imitates the Lord himself in deeds and words. The power of signs glorified the Savior, and the grace of martyrdom is blessed in him. “Stephen,” it is said, “full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). The Lord who teaches is astonishing, and the martyr who speaks to everyone is praised. Starting with the vision of Abraham and successively touching on other things in order, recalling prominent persons and deeds, he cites a prophecy relating to Christ, and points to the Jews, who always anger God. But just as Christ was always contradicted by the Pharisees, so the martyr was attacked by opponents from the synagogue. “Some of the so-called synagogue of the Libertines and the Cyrenians and the Alexandrians and some from Cilicia and Asia entered into a dispute with Stephen, but they could not resist the wisdom and the Spirit to whom he spoke” (Acts 6:9-10). The Lord is accused (for what he said) about the church, the martyr is falsely accused of the same. “This man never ceases to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and against the law” (Acts 6:13). Outside the city, the Lord is crucified on the cross; outside the city, the martyr is stoned. “And they brought him out of the city, and began to stone him with stones” (Acts 7:58). The Jews crucify Christ, the Jews also stone Stephen. The Lord, being crucified, expresses forgiveness: “Father,” he says, “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34); the martyr also asks for them in the same way: “kneeling down, he exclaimed with a loud voice: Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). And not only in words and deeds did the martyr follow the Lord, but he discovered the virtue of his soul in patience. and enduring insults, for which he was rewarded with such a vision. “When I looked up,” it is said, “to heaven, I saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Great is the spectacle of the competition! The wrestler below on earth competes, and the Judge from heaven watches; this one is fighting here, and the one above, standing, helps the fighter. And he sees the Savior not sitting, but standing. Oh, how great is the grace of honor! The Lord stands when the martyr fights. The appearance and position of the Judge indicates the great significance of the competition. After all, judges rise from their seats when a hot fight begins; The dignity of the fighters is recognized when due honor is given. And this honor from the Savior is such that the martyr surpassed even the angels. “Looking up,” they say, “to heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). He saw not only the invisible place and glory, but even the very One whom he desired, at whom even the angelic army is afraid to look. The martyr directs his gaze to where the cherubim cover their pure faces, where the seraphim do not dare to look - to that boundless height. So, here was the object of the vision of the One who is higher than the angels, superior to powers, superior to thrones and powers. He was attracted by the voice of the Lord, who had previously said: “Where I am, there will my servant be” (John 12:26). And it’s a strange thing that this righteous man is tormented not by fire, not by iron, not by animals, not by other tortures, but by stoning alone. Stephen had to be adorned with stones only and receive the grace of truth from a pile of stones. The throwing of stones was directed both at the golden body and most importantly at the head, which was bleeding from all sides. At the sight of his feat, many become martyrs. This Wreath (Stephen) is coveted for fighters, bringing honor and teaching the way to fight: he shows the way with his competitions and encourages with his name. Thus, with his deeds even before Paul, he cries out: “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). I followed, he says, the Lord of everything in word, life, and death. Come, imitate all this, acting together with me: this is possible and useful for those who wish. I am a martyr, and, moreover, I was the first to labor after the Lord, and the secrets of heaven were revealed to me first. Namely, I saw Jesus standing on the right side of the Father, and I actually contemplated what is said: “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool” (Ps. 109:1). To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. Creations attributed to St. John Chrysostom and classified in the Minya edition as Spuria. You might be interested in: