Holy Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon

Life

When the malicious Jews stoned Saint Stephen to death, they left his body for the dogs to devour. But the Providence of God willed otherwise. The body of the martyr lay in an open place outside the city for a night and two days, and on the second night Gamaliel, the teacher of Paul and a secret disciple of Christ, came, took the body, carried it to Caphargamala on his estate, and there honorably buried it in a cave. In that same cave Gamaliel buried his friend Nicodemus, who died weeping over Stephen's grave. There too Gamaliel buried his own baptized son Abibus. And according to his own testament, Gamaliel himself was also buried there. From that time centuries passed, and no one among the living knew where the body of Saint Stephen was buried. But in the year 415, during the time of the Patriarch John of Jerusalem, Gamaliel appeared three times in a dream to the priest of Caphargamala, Lucian, and told him in detail all about the burial of all those mentioned, pointing out the exact location of their forgotten graves. Stirred by this dream, Lucian informed the patriarch, and with the patriarch's blessing went with men and uncovered the four graves. Gamaliel had already told him in the dream which grave was whose. A powerful fragrance of sweet incense filled the entire cave from the relics of the saints. Then the relics of Saint Stephen were solemnly translated to Zion and there honorably buried, and the relics of the others were brought out to a hill above the cave and laid there in a church. Many healings of the sick took place that day from the relics of Saint Stephen. Later those relics were translated to Constantinople. Thus the Lord crowned with great glory the one who first shed his blood for His name.

From the Hymn of Praise

In the midst of dark night Gamaliel appeared,To Lucian he revealed a wondrous mystery;Gamaliel appeared, an elder dignified,Upon his radiant face a mysterious smile.