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Archdeacon Saint Stephen, The Protomartyr
Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.
---1 Samuel 16:12
Envious the kallophobes decided to put
you to death, Archdeacon, casting you out and down;
because they coveted the beauty of your soul
expressed in your body---long-haired, lithe and barefoot
(oh yes, so exquisitely beautiful).
With raging hatred, they hurled their stones
that came sourly against your flesh and bones.
But just before the moment at which to die,
you looked to the Bright Morning Star in the sky,
Who Himself called you, to give you the first Martyr's crown.
Starwardist
