To my brother deacons
A happy feast of St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr. May we follow his example in fearlessly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and witnessing to the reality of heaven.
We give Thee thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to Thy Son Jesus Christ, Who standeth at Thy right hand; where He liveth and reighneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. — Traditional Collect for the Feast of St. Stephen, Book of Common Prayer (1979).
Right back to you with many blessings+ May St. Stephen intercede for us so that we can imitate his courage as he “commended his spirit to God” in imitation of his Master Jesus Christ!