Stephen
Stephen was a member of Jerusalem's first christian community. He belonged to a group of seven who were called by the twelve apostles to act as deacons. His task was the care of Greek speaking widows. Because of his preachings, he was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish High Council, where he gave a long speech. They did not convict him, but nevertheless he was expelled from the city and stoned to death. He thus became the first christian martyr.
His life and acts are described in Acts 6-8.
Related works of art:
Breenbergh, Bartholomeus: The Stoning of Saint Stephen (1632)
De Juanes, Juan: Stephen Accuses the High Council (c. 1562)
De Juanes, Juan: Stephen in the Synagogue (c. 1562)
De Juanes, Juan: Stephen is taken away (c. 1562)
De Juanes, Juan: The Burial of Stephen (c. 1562)
De Juanes, Juan: The Stoning of Stephen (c. 1562)
Raphael: The Stoning of St Stephen (c. 1514-1515)
Rembrandt: The Stoning of St Stephen (1625)
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