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St Stephen, Protomartyr
First martyr of the Church.
Patron of Deacons, headache sufferers
Life
One of the seven deacons appointed to serve the Greek-speaking widows of the Jerusalem church. Filled with grace and power, he preached Christ before the Sanhedrin and was stoned to death — praying for his killers as he died. Saul of Tarsus stood guarding the cloaks; his conversion would follow.
Prayer
St Stephen, pray that we may forgive as you forgave, and that our last breath may be a prayer for our enemies.
Scripture
Acts 7:54-60