St. Stephen’s Memorial Day
August 15 is celebrated in Christianity St. Stephen’s Memorial Day. He was chosen by the apostles as an archdeacon among seven deacons and became the first martyr who was executed for the ideas of Christ at the age of 30.
Stephen brought the teachings of the son of God to people, broke the dogmas and superstitions of the Jewish servants of the law. For this they slandered him, saying that he was blaspheming and insulting Moses. Appearing before the Sanhedrin, Stephen delivered a fiery speech in which he accused his judges of executing Jesus. During his speech, the saint saw Christ in heaven and informed the audience about it. Not wanting to believe it, they stoned him. But Stefan’s faith did not waver and he blessed his killers. Although the judges ordered to leave the martyr’s body to be torn by animals, the Jewish teacher Gamaliel and his son Aviv took the saint’s body and buried it in a cave on their estate.
The transfer of Stephen’s relics from Jerusalem to Constantinople took place in the middle of the 5th century. Later, they were taken to the temple, which was built in honor of the holy great martyr.
Folk signs on the Day of Remembrance of St. Stephen
- People believe that haymaking must be finished by Stephen’s Day.
- It is on this day that you cannot accumulate debts, be jealous and spend large sums of money.
- And moving to a new house or traveling will definitely lead to failure.
