Happy St. Stephen's Day! (December 26)

On this day each year (December 26) the church gives thanks for Stephen who who read about in the Book of Acts (Acts 6 & 7) and who became the first Christian martyr.

The Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas" is a song about this day; "Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen..."

Wenceslas was the Duke of Bohemia during the 10th century A.D. As the song indicates, he was a good, honest, and strongly principled man. He became the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic and his Saint's day is September 28th. His picture appeared on Bohemian coins, and the Crown of Wenceslas became the symbol of Czech independence.

Collect of the Day: Saint Stephen
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.