On the third day of Christmas, December 27, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. His name means "crown" or "wreath" and comes from the Greek "στέφανος" (stéphanos). It symbolizes victory and honor, qualities attributed to Christ's follower, crowned with the wreath of martyrdom. His image is depicted on the left door of the iconostasis.
The young Stephen was ordained a deacon by the disciples of Jesus Christ and, like them, performed miracles— he healed the sick and cast out demons. When the Jerusalem Community Church was established to take care of widows and the needy, Saint Stephen became its first servant—archdeacon. It was justly organized and Archdeacon Stephen was fully devoted to caring for the people. The Jews envied Christ's follower, who gathered many believers around him, and accused him of blasphemy before the Sanhedrin (court formed of high priests). When the high priests summoned him, he refuted all accusations and exposed them for their godlessness and murders of the prophets who had foretold the coming of the Savior. The judges of Saint Stephen became even more enraged and handed him over to the mob to be stoned to death. At his place of martyrdom, Saint Stephen turned to God in prayer, asking Him to forgive his enemies. The legend has it that the Holy Virgin and Saint John the Theologian (John the Apostle) watched his heroic act from the top of the Mount of Olives and fervently prayed for him. Over the years, the testimonies of the saint's martyrdom faded and it was not until the end of the 4th century that his relics were discovered. A miraculous fragrance emanated from them, many miracles occurred and the memory of St. Stephen shone as an example of mercy and patience.
Initially, the Church commemorated St. Stephen on December 26, but over time, Constantinople designated December 26 as the feast of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos. The commemoration of the saint was moved to December 27, but the Catholic Church continues to commemorate St. Stephen on December 26.
The feast of Saint Stephen is inseparably connected with the Birth of the Savior. The Bulgarian Iron Church in Istanbul is also associated with the saint's name.
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