Day 38 - Friday, 5th Week in Lent - San Stefano al Monte Celio

Interior of San Stefano Rotundo

The next century was not kind to the basilica.  Barbarian invasions took their toll, as did a long period of neglect. In the 6th century it was restored and the relics of the martyrs Ss Primus and Felician were translated here. Below is the chapel of Sts. Primo e Feliciano with some rare and interesting mosaics from the 7th century. The chapel was built by Pope Theodore I who had the relics of the martyrs Primus and Felician brought here and buried them (together with the remains of his father) in this chapel.  

Chapel of Sts. Primo e Feliciano

There are scenes of the martyrdom of St Primo below among the frescoes

We admire the courage of martyrs and tend to romanticize their deaths, but in addition to the physical torment, torture, and death, the spiritual experience of abandonment is the most devastating reality of all.   Even Jesus experienced some sense of abandonment on the Cross.  Of course we should honour the martyrs, but one of the best ways to honor them is to contemplate what a hard thing martyrdom is.  This is where the Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo is of great benefit to us.  

Martyrdom is ultimately an act of renunciation. The martyr is alone, if not physically, at least experientially  — without hope of rescue, without comfort, without the ability to see "how it all worked out."  He/she does not know whether their death "will do any good."  They must abandon themselves into the hands of God, through the hands of their enemies, who are intent on bringing their lives to an ignominious and painful end. Only by the grace of God can they be successful in their final witness, but it takes courage to wait for this grace, which, in their agony, seems will never come. They are not without fear, doubt, anxiety.  They are not without feelings — they are cold, hungry, thirsty, in pain. 

Martyrdom of St Margaret - Iron Hooks

Throughout the record of His Passion in the Scriptures, we are repeatedly informed of the details of the sufferings Jesus is experiencing.  In this way we are able to identify with His martyrdom, and even enter vicariously into that suffering.  It is one thing to have a hot iron fall on my hand and toss it away from me, hastening to run cold water over the burn.  It is an entirely different thing to embrace the flame that will end my life, with only faith to assure me that this is a victory and not a defeat.  When we contemplate the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters today, we realize that Jesus continues to suffer in His Body, the Church, and will do so until the end of this Creation.   We must pray continuously that when those among us are required to make the ultimate sacrifice for Christ, that we will have the courage and strength we need to embrace our own Passion with serenity and trust and love.

Martyrdom of St Primus by Niccolo Circignani

The Stoning of St Stephen by Rembrandt

St Stephen, the great proto-martyr, died in the first wave of persecution that the fledgling Church experienced in Jerusalem under the Jewish priesthood. 

“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

So they chose from among them “seven men of good reputation” and appointed them deacons to serve the Church.  (Acts 6: 1-7)

There was considerable tension between the Hebrews and the Hellenists in Jewish society, and this carried over into the Jerusalem Church.  The apostles were  all Hebrews.  When the deacons were chosen, they were all Greek (Hellenists)  It would eventually be the Hellenists who would be a bridge to the Gentiles.

Hellenists – Jews who had accepted and practiced Greek ways

1)  Sadducees

2)  Jews of the Diaspora, spread throughout the Empire (many no longer spoke Hebrew)

Hellenistic Christians - converted Jews who had Hellenistic (Greek) leanings

1) Many had been a part of the Jewish Diaspora.  

2) The target of most of the earliest persecution by the Jews.

Anti-Hellenistic Jews -  tended to largely be Pharisees

1) despised the Hellenistic tendencies within 1st century Judaism

2) their greatest disdain was directed  against Hellenistic Christians

Hebrews - Jews (and later Christians)  who were of Israeli origins

      Resisted and despised the Hellenizing tendencies of the culture.

"And Stephen, full of faith & power, did great wonders & signs among the people.  Then there arose some...disputing with Stephen . . .and they secretly induced men to say, “ We have heard him speak blasphemous words...” and set up false witnesses… Then the high priest asked Stephen,  “Are these things so?” Stephen preached to them about God’s covenant relationship to his people from the beginning, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and all the rest, “and when he was finished...they cast him out of the city and stoned him...and Paul consented to his death.  Acts 7: 51 – 8:3.

St Stephen is not buried at this church.  Do you remember where he is buried?  In the crypt with St Lawrence at St Lawrence Outside the Walls.

 St Stephen's Gate - Jerusalem

Stephen Was dragged Out of the City Through This Gate to the Place of His Martyrdom