Saint Stephen
#1,312
Most Influential Person Across History
Ancient Roman saint
Saint Stephen's AcademicInfluence.com Rankings
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Religious Studies
#135
Historical Rank
Theology
#256
Historical Rank
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Religious Studies
Why Is Saint Stephen Influential?
(Suggest an Edit or Addition)According to Wikipedia, Stephen is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early Church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become a Christian apostle, participated in Stephen's martyrdom.