First Century
Chosen as one of the 7 deacons mentioned in Acts of the Apostles
Called the Protomartyr, the first martyr of the Church
He was martyred by stoning
Saul of Tarsus was present at his stoning; Saul goes on to be converted to Christianity and is better known as Paul, the greatest missionary in Christian history
Like Jesus, Stephen prayed that his killers would be forgiven by God