Saint Stephen the Martyr
admin | 26 December 2011The collect for today, the Feast of Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):
GRANT, O Lord, that in all our sufferings here upon earth, for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Spirit, may learn to love and bless our persecutors, by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those that suffer for thee, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
The Lesson: Acts 7:55-60
The Gospel: St. Matthew 23:34-39
Click here to read more about St. Stephen.
Artwork: Lorenzo Ghiberti, Saint Stephen, 1426. Bronze, Orsanmichele, Florence. This statue was commissioned by Florence’s Wool Guild. On the frontispiece on top of the tabernacle can be seen the Agnus Dei, emblem of the Wool Guild. Photograph taken by admin, 18 May 2010. (Click on photo for enlarged view.)