The Church today venerates the memory of Stephen, or Stephanos in Greek, Archdeacon & First Martyr. He was the first of seven deacons whom the Apostles established in Jerusalem to care for the poor, and to distribute alms to them.
While disputing with the rabbis of Jerusalem concerning Jesus Christ, and wisely refuting their every contradiction, he was slandered as a blasphemer and dragged off to the Sanhedrin of the elders. St. Stephen was martyred by stoning. As he experienced his martyrdom he called out: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,” And saying this, he fell reposed, thus becoming the first among Christian Martyrs.