Author Archives: History of the Christian Church

Circa A.D. 34–35 Stephen is remembered in Christianity as the first martyr (derived from the Greek word μάρτυρας which means “witness”). St. Stephen was tried by the Jewish Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and speaking against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). While on trial, he experienced a theophany in which he saw Jesus Christ standing on the right hand of God: “Behold, I see… Read more