This Saint Stephen the Protomartyr prayer card commemorates the first martyr of the Church, remembered for his courage, holiness, and forgiveness. As one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles, Stephen devoted his life to serving the poor and preaching the Gospel. His bold witness before the Sanhedrin led to his martyrdom by stoning, during which he prayed for his executioners: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Saint Stephen is honored in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Byzantine Catholic Churches, the Orthodox Church, and the Roman Catholic Church as the Protomartyr—the first to give his life for Christ. His example of service, faith, and forgiveness continues to inspire Christians across traditions.
This prayer card is designed for personal devotion, parish use, or as a meaningful gift. It reminds the faithful of the call to bold witness and the courage to forgive even in the face of persecution.
Tradition: Melkite Greek Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, Orthodox, Roman Catholic
Feast Day: December 26 (Byzantine and Roman Catholic), December 27 (Old Calendar)
Title: First Martyr, Deacon, Protomartyr of the Church
Veneration: Universally honored across East and West as the first Christian martyr
The Saint Stephen the Protomartyr prayer card calls the faithful to live with courage, charity, and forgiveness, following the witness of the first martyr of the Church.
This Saint Stephen the Protomartyr prayer card commemorates the first martyr of the Church, remembered for his courage, holiness, and forgiveness. As one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles, Stephen devoted his life to serving the poor and preaching the Gospel. His bold witness before the Sanhedrin led to his martyrdom by stoning, during which he prayed for his executioners: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Saint Stephen is honored in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Byzantine Catholic Churches, the Orthodox Church, and the Roman Catholic Church as the Protomartyr—the first to give his life for Christ. His example of service, faith, and forgiveness continues to inspire Christians across traditions.
This prayer card is designed for personal devotion, parish use, or as a meaningful gift. It reminds the faithful of the call to bold witness and the courage to forgive even in the face of persecution.
Tradition: Melkite Greek Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, Orthodox, Roman Catholic
Feast Day: December 26 (Byzantine and Roman Catholic), December 27 (Old Calendar)
Title: First Martyr, Deacon, Protomartyr of the Church
Veneration: Universally honored across East and West as the first Christian martyr
The Saint Stephen the Protomartyr prayer card calls the faithful to live with courage, charity, and forgiveness, following the witness of the first martyr of the Church.
