Services in honor of the First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen

Today the Holy Church honors the memory of the Apostle, Frst Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen. He was one of the seven deacons who were supposed to help twelve apostles such as taking care of orphans, widows and other parishioners in need.

So, brethren, choose seven people known as filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom; we will put them in this service ... and we chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prokhor, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmen, and Nicholas of Antioch, converted from the pagans. "

St. Stephen fearlessly and selflessly preached the Risen Savior and proved the truth of his words with signs and wonders. Jewish elders hated him so much that they seized the saint and falsely accused him in blasphemy. St. Stephen publicly denounced the Jews, for which he was stoned. Before his death, he showed true love and fulfillment of Christ’s commandments asking the Lord to forgive his torturers: “Lord! do not charge them this sin"..

Your head is crowned with a royal diadem for the suffering that you endured for the sake of Christ the God, the first to suffer from the martyrs; for you exposed the madness of the Jews and saw your Savior on the right of the Father. Pray to Him for our souls. "

On January 8 and 9, Hieromonk Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Vice-Rector for Educational Work, together with teachers and students in the priesthood officed the all-night vigil and the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church.

Утром 9 января иеромонах Вячеслав в сослужении преподавателей и студентов в священном сане возглавил Божественную литургию в домовом храме Академии.

Background information:

Chanting performed by a male choir conducted by V.V. Chuvilov.

MThA Press Office