The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen,
After a painting by Annibale Carracci (1560-1609),
Original painting between 1603 and 1604,
Print by Guillaume Chasteau (1635-1683),
Engraving on paper, issued in 1671
© British Museum, London
The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen,
After a painting by Annibale Carracci (1560-1609),
Original painting between 1603 and 1604,
Print by Guillaume Chasteau (1635-1683),
Engraving on paper, issued in 1671
© British Museum, London
Saint Stephen's Day
Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
Reflection on the engraving
Today we celebrate St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early Church in Jerusalem. With his teachings he made quite a few enemies in the synagogues. Accused of blasphemy, at his trial, he made a long speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and he was then stoned to death. His martyrdom was witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, commonly known as Saint Paul.
In our engraving after a painting by Annibale Carracci, we see Saint Stephen saying his final words, outside the walls of the city. The martyr is already on his knees and bleeding. He pays no attention to the men who are about to stone him, but he already graciously looks up to the angel who is floating towards him bearing the crown and palm, symbols of the martyr. The angel is a celestial messenger sent from the from golden realms of heaven which we can see in the top right corner, which reveal a glimpse of God and Christ looking upon the whole scene… and to witness Stephen's martyrdom.
It may seem strange that we celebrate the martyrdom of Saint Stephen the day after Christmas, when we are still immersed in the joys of celebrating the birth of Christ. But that is exactly what our faith is. It is not an emotion, but it is a deep peace and love for Christ which is still there in the midst of trials tribulations and in the face of death. That is what are lives are: joy one day, sadness the next, but our faith is constant...
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Coincido en aquello de que el martirio de San Esteban se ubica en el verdadero sentido de la alegría (Navidad) del Cristiano, que no es otra cosa que la paz y el amor en medio de todas las circunstancias de la vida.
Así mismo, aquella oración pronunciada por San Esteban, cuando pide perdón para sus agresores pertenece a otra gran dimensión de la fe, pues creo que esa imploración de perdón en los últimos días del año, nos ayuda también para que sanemos nuestras heridas y busquemos el único camino posible medio de las ofensas: el perdón.
I want to say thank you, Patrick, for yesterday’s video. I shared it with friends. From the feedback, it was a blessing.
Faith is a gift that goes out and comes in like the tide. After King Charles’ splendidly religious speech yesterday let’s hope that the tide starts to come back in again for us and the country!?
Gracias por compartir su reflexión sobre el discurso del Rey, que me motivó a buscarlo. Muy bello!
Thank you Patrick! Christianity does not sugar coat. This has been a tough Christmas for many. My sister’s friend passed away last night, for her family Christmas will now mean loss. We go to the manger not for sentimentality but for the reality of the difficult struggle of our lives, into which a Saviour has been born. God’s gift is beyond understanding and we can only wonder at it. Please pray for my sister’s friend, her name was Janet, they had been friends since childhood.
Cuente con mi oración, y rezo por el consuelo y fortaleza de todos ustedes.
Even if Jesus love is constant, I can’t say the same about my faith. There was a time looong when I thought I could be a nun, with such sense of belief, now I struggle to teach my little one how to pray.
In today’s art I like the feeling of peace that shows St Stephen facing his ultimate adversity, amongst the expressions of rage, anger and sadness in the crowd. That’s faith at work.
Have a happy week everyone.
Ooh..I know that feeling. My most often uttered prayer is “Lord, I do believe. Forgive though my unbelief”