A Handbook of Christian Symbols and Stories of the Saints as Illustrated in Art

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1886. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... desired the Viaticum. The landlord, a Lutheran, would not suffer it to be brought publicly to the house, whereupon the saint seemed in a vision to receive communion at the hands of an angel. He is represented in art on a couch with an angel at his side. He is one of the patron saints of Polaud, and as such his attribute is the lily. November 13, A. D. 1589. St. Stephen, Protomartyr (Lat. S. Stephanus; Ital. San Stefano; Fr. St. DEGREEStienne; Ger. Der Heilige Stefan). Little has been added to the Scripture account of this holy deacon by tradition or the fancy of his votaries. His name is significant of faith, devotion, zeal, and enduring love; it commands the veneration of the world, standing as it does at the head of the great and noble army of martyrs. He was chosen deacon during the first ministry of Peter, and did great wonders and miracles. He was falsely accused of speaking blasphemously of the Temple and the Jewish law. For this he was condemned to death, and stoned by the people outside of the gate at Jerusalem, now called by his name. The legend concerning his relics relates that it was not known for four hundred years what had become of his body. Then a certain priest of Carsagamala in Palestine, named Lucian, had a vision in which Gamaliel, the same who had instructed Paul in all the learning of the Jews, appeared to him, and revealed the burying-place of Stephen. Gamaliel himself had taken up the body and had placed it in his own sepulchre, where he had also interred Nicodemus and other holy men and saints. This dream or vision was repeated a second and third time. Then Lucian, with the sanction of the bishop, dug in a garden that had been pointed out, and found the relics of St. Stephen, and their wonderful sanctity was proved by many miracles. They wer...