Life
The Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen was one of the seven first deacons whom the apostles chose shortly after Christ’s Ascension. The apostles, occupied with preaching, felt the need to choose trustworthy helpers to care for the poor and widows in the Jerusalem community. Among the seven, Stephen stood out for exceptional faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit working within him.
As a deacon, Stephen did not merely organize material care for the poor — Holy Scripture testifies that he performed “great wonders and signs among the people” and that no one could resist the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. Learned rabbis from various synagogues challenged him but always remained without answer before Stephen’s God-filled eloquence.
His opponents finally resorted to false testimony, accusing Stephen of speaking blasphemy against Moses and God. He was brought before the Sanhedrin — the supreme Jewish court — and charged with speaking against the Temple and the Law. Before the Sanhedrin, Stephen’s face shone like the face of an angel, Scripture testifies.
Stephen then delivered a long speech (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 7) — one of the most beautiful theological discourses in the New Testament — in which he traced the entire history of salvation from Abraham to Christ, showing how the Israelites had again and again rejected God’s messengers. At the end he admonished the court with the words: “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” These words enraged the Sanhedrin to the utmost.
At the decisive moment Stephen raised his eyes to heaven and saw “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father” — and he said so aloud. The crowd then began to shout, stopped their ears, drove him out of the city, and began to stone him. Stephen, kneeling amid the stoning, prayed aloud: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Then, as Holy Scripture says, he “fell asleep.” These words are one of the most deeply moving scenes in the New Testament — the first martyr to the end resembles Christ Himself, who on the Cross prayed for His killers.
Among those who stood by and kept the garments of those who cast stones was the young Pharisee Saul — the future Apostle Paul.
Tropar (Tone 4)
The crown of the Kingdom was vouchsafed to thee from the hand of the Lord, O holy Stephen, for thou didst overcome thine adversaries and confound thy slanderers who cast stones at thee like hailstones. But thou didst gaze upon Christ standing at the right hand of the Father, and didst pray for those who persecuted thee. Intercede also now for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion (Tone 3)
Yesterday the Master came among us in the flesh, and today His servant departeth from the flesh. Yesterday the King was born in the flesh, and today the servant is crowned by stoning. Therefore the perfect Protomartyr Stephen, most wise, crieth out to Christ God: Lord, receive not this sin against them.
About the Feast
Stefandan is celebrated on January 9 by the New Calendar, only two days after Christmas (January 7). This proximity to Christmas gives Stefandan a special character — the feast falls in the very heart of the Christmas festivities, while households have not yet dispersed the holiday atmosphere.
Since Stefandan is a non-fasting day — the Nativity Fast ended with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the next fasting period has not yet begun — the feast table is rich with meat dishes. Roast pig or lamb, soups, stuffed cabbage, cheese and other pies are prepared, and the slava bread and wheat are never omitted. Many hosts take advantage of this feast to serve the remains of the Christmas table, so Stefandan is often a feast of abundance and warm family celebration.
The proximity to Christmas means that in some families Stefandan takes on the character of a “small Christmas feast” — guests who could not come for Christmas often visit on Stefandan, so the house is alive with family visits. Children are still on winter school holiday, and the entire January period carries the joyful atmosphere of the first days of the new year and the continuation of Christ’s Nativity. This feast is especially beloved in families that include members named Stefan or Stevana.