Who was recognized as the first martyr of the Church?

The first martyr of the Church is recognized as Stephen. His martyrdom is recorded in the Book of Acts in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 7. Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to help with the distribution of food and other needs within the community. His powerful preaching and the miracles performed through him drew the attention and ire of certain Jewish leaders.

Accused of blasphemy, Stephen defended his faith in a bold speech outlining the history of Israel and God's faithfulness, culminating in the proclamation that Jesus was the Righteous One whom they had betrayed and murdered. His impassioned defense enraged the listeners, leading them to drag him outside the city and stone him. Stephen's death is significant as it marks the beginning of widespread persecution against the followers of Jesus, and as he was dying, he famously prayed for his executioners, mirroring Christ's own words on the cross.

The notable context here is that while James, John, and Peter were crucial figures in the early Church, they were not recognized as the first martyr. James, for instance, was martyred later, and John was not martyred at all but instead died of natural causes. Peter also faced persecution and ultimately was