Saint Stephen the Martyr: An Iconic Figure in Christian Art
On December 26, in an almost sacred stillness that follows the effervescence of Christmas, the Church turns its gaze to the figure of Saint Stephen the Martyr. This man, the first among the seven deacons appointed to assist the apostles in their sacred ministry, has a face that lives in paintings through icons and symbolism rather than accurate physical likeness. Essentially, he is a character more composed of the aura of his story than the anatomy of his face. Giotto - Santo Stefano Martire In Christian iconography, Saint Stephen is unmistakable. Often depicted with stones, these rocks are not mere…