In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen is described as one of the seven deacons whose job it was to care for the widows in the early church in Jerusalem. Following his eloquent and impassioned speech during which he urged that all might hear the good news of Jesus, he was stoned to death, leading to his martyrdom.

The church honours on this day the one who proclaims Jesus as 'the Word made flesh' and who is 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'. He was with Jesus at the key events of His life - at the trans- figuration, at the last supper, during Jesus's agony in the garden, at the foot of the cross - and was a witness of His resurrection. Tradition has it that John died in old age at Ephesus.

According to St. Matthew's Gospel, Herod 'the Great' tried to persuade the Magi, to whom he played host, to bring word to him once they had found the child Jesus. He sought to eliminate Jesus, and when he realised he had been tricked he poured out his anger on all male infants in the land, having all the boy babies killed. These were God's innocent ones.

E.T.D.