Stoning of St. Stephen - Technique and Styles
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Stoning of St. Stephen the First Martyr
1775-1780
Attributed to Francisco de Goya
Stephen was the most prominent of the first seven deacons appointed by the apostles in Jerusalem to supervise the distribution of alms to the faithful and to help in the ministry of preaching. His activities enraged some members of the Synagogue.
He was arrested and delivered an enlightened sermon in defense of Christianity before the Great Council, after which he was condemned to death. The enraged Jews then took him out of the city and stoned him. While they were stoning him, Stephen cried out three times: "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!", then, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit", and finally, when he knelt, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them".