Let the games begin! Yes, Lent Madness 2017 begins RIGHT NOW. After months of speculation and the crushing ache of anticipation, "Ash 
Thursday" has arrived. Over the next (more or less) 40 days and 40 nights, you will have the opportunity to re-immortalize one of our 32 competing saints with the coveted Golden Halo.
Today we see two martyrs squaring off as Stephen faces Alban. Which one will face yet another ignominious exit? That, dear friends, is up to you and your single (we mean that and we have cameras everywhere) vote.
If you’re new to Lent Madness, welcome! If you have any questions about how to participate, just let us know by leaving a comment. The Lent Madness community is both friendly and helpful, often answering questions before the Supreme Executive Committee arrives in their grand purple, if imaginary, chariot.
We urge you to take full part in the Madness. Leave comments here on the website. Read what others have to say. Enjoy the (mostly) friendly rivalry and trash talk on social media. During the day, check in on the website often to see how each day’s contest is going. And above all, delight in seeing how each saint was a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.
Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates on our home page so you never miss a vote, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and encourage your friends to jump into the fray.
We can assure you this will be a wild, joyful, educational, ocassionally gut-wrenching ride. We're delighted to share this journey with you. Let the Madness begin!
Stephen
Stephen is the protomartyr of the Church—the first person to give his life as a witness to his faith in the gospel of Jesus.
Along with six other Greek-speaking believers, Stephen was tasked with serving and providing for those in need, serving as one of the first deacons in the early Jesus Movement. In some traditions, Stephen is given the title of Archdeacon.
Tasked with feeding the hungry, Stephen performed wonders and signs for the people. Unfortunately, these actions did not go over well with some in Jerusalem’s religious power structure, and the Sanhedrin tried him for blasphemy.
Stephen delivered a powerful sermon in front of the Sanhedrin, recounting the relationship between God and the people—his sermon accused listeners of murdering the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus. While his message seemed to be extremely well-received, with the Sanhedrin shouting “Amen!” and “Thanks be to God,” they immediately took Stephen out into the street and stoned him. With his last breath, Stephen prayed for the forgiveness for his killers.
In death, Stephen has become quite the world traveler. His relics were first identified at what is now the monastery Beit Jimal, just outside of Jerusalem. Stephen’s relics moved around Jerusalem to a location near the northern gate of the city—known to the Crusaders as Stephen’s Gate.
A portion of his relics made a post-mortem trip to Rome, where he was interred alongside the deacon Lawrence (a very polite roommate who made
room for the protomartyr in the crypt of the Basilica of San Lorenzo).
Stephen’s feast day is December 26. He is the patron saint of, among other things, headaches—and, perhaps, family members during uncomfortable holiday situations.
Collect for Stephen
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Alban
The early martyr Alban is regarded as the protomartyr of Britain—the very first person to die for his confession of Christ in the British Isles. Also, while none of the records are terribly clear, it appears that Alban was only a Christian for a matter of days prior to his martyrdom! The story of Alban comes to us through three chief sources—a medieval text connected with Germanus of Auxerre, the account of the sixth-century British monk Gildas the Wise, and the Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People. As is common with martyrs in the early medieval period, Alban’s story grows longer and more colorful with each step.
During one of the Roman persecutions of Christians, Alban (who was a kindly man but apparently not a believer) hid a priest in his house rather than allow the priest to be caught and killed by the authorities. The priest remained hidden for several days and instructed Alban in the faith. Once the Roman authorities learned of the priest’s presence, they came to the house demanding the fugitive. Alban dressed himself in the priest’s distinctive clothing and was led away to see the judge. The judge (somehow realizing that Alban was not the priest in question) promised to let Alban go if he renounced Christianity and sacrificed to the gods. Alban refused, asserting his full faith in Christ, and was led away to be executed. However, the bridge linking the court to the execution site was totally blocked by would-be spectators. The waters of the river parted, enabling Alban and his execution party to continue on dry ground to the place of his martyrdom. The executioner was so moved by this divine sign that he refused to kill Alban and was executed alongside him instead.
Bede’s narrative adds that upon killing these two martyrs, the replacement executioner’s eyes promptly popped out of his head as punishment. Furthermore, the head of Alban rolled down the hill, and at the point where it stopped, a spring of pure water sprung up.
Collect for Alban
Almighty God, who inspired your servant Alban to lay down his life for the cause of the Gospel; grant us the grace to follow his example that our own lives may be reflections of your love and witnesses to the truth of your power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[poll id="172"]
470 comments on “Stephen vs. Alban”
I almost never have headaches, but today I have a doozie of a headache. When I read that St. Stephen was the saint to help me, I knew that he would get my vote. Thanks, Steve!
When I was born, my family lived in St. Alban's Queens NYC. So I had to vote for him!
Yay. It's back. I voted for Stephen because the passage of Acts where he dies is one of my favorites.
My wife's great grandfather, Archdeacon Thomas Bedford-Jones founded St Alban's. Church in Ottawa. Sir John A. McDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister was a member of his congregation. Thomas presided over the funeral of Sir John. He also named one of his sons, Alban. I grew up close to St. Alban's Cathedral in England. I urge all to vote for Alban.
Alban, protecting the priestly refugee.
I attended St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Schenectady as a kid. Then I married my beloved husband Stephen who never attends church but donates a lot to charities that feed the hungry.
So Stephen.
Laban saved the priest and was unwilling to give up his beliefs to take the easy way out. He inspires me to keep doing right whatever the consequences.
Alban. Eyes popping, head rolling, the spring of water, and his courage in hiding the priest. Patron saint of refugees and converts. I also liked the pictures and prayer in the above post by Richard G. I'm glad Lent Madness is back! Happy Ash Thursday to all!!
I am a deacon, hence my choice.
What a way to begin
The March Lent poll
Stephen and Alban-
Rock and roll!
I was tempted to vote for Alban as he looks so jaunty in the icon pictured in the account, but in the end I went for Stephen because he prayed for his persecutors, something I'm sure I'd never be able to do!
I voted for Alban because of his unquestioning commitment and the miracle of the spring coming from where his head landed. Reminded me of Igmar Bergman's Virgin Spring.
I cast a vote for Alban.
Stephen. Hands down (heads up?). From a member of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Well, obviously! I'm a deacon! So it has to be Stephen. Also I really like the Good King Wenceslas song about the Feast of Stephen, and now I know when that is!
Grew up near St. Alban's in Hertfordshire, has to be Alban!
Stephen was a remarkable man and died at the hands of Saul (Paul). Being the saint of headaches covers so many issues...I love Saint Stephen.
So far Stephen is winning. Even though I voted for Stephen I like Alban too! 🙂
Bekka. a 10 yo.
It may be too late to save the day, but many voters have proclaimed that they were inspired to vote for Stephen because Good King Wenceslaus who went out on his feast. OK, so St. Alban deserves his own hymn, too. It is forthwith appended herein. Same tune, different saint:
Good Saint Alban hid a priest
When the soldiers sought him.
Learned of Christ, received the Truth
And would not deny him.
Death could not turn him away
From the Lord who loved him.
Parted waters on the way
To his execu-oo-tion.
Many stories now are told
Of this faithful martyr.
How his rolling head did cause
Up to spring fresh water.
Other tales are just too gross
For this simple song and
So I plead that you will vote
For our good Saint A – al – ban!
Well done! ♪
I'm going to have to go with the headache guy
All in for Alban!
I went to St. Stephen's School, an American/Episcopal high school in Rome, Italy, so, of course, I *had* to vote for Stephen.
This is a wonderful experience! Send the emails please!
This was a tough one. I had to think about it all day.
Dang you, SEC , for pitching these two worthies in the very first round!
My vote went for Stephen. We celebrate St Stephen's day, partly to recover from our over-the-top Christmas exuberance -- it's a worthy moment for quiet reflection on the blessings we receive from the good Lord.
If it weren't for Stephen, we wouldn't have Elvis Costello's song about the St. Stephen's Day murders on the Chieftains' Bells of Dublin Christmas album: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/St._Stephen's_Day_Murders
Alban for me this time. Reading the bios and the new hymn, above, have made my day.
I love the name Alban, and am bored by the name Stephen. Nevertheless, I had to vote for Saint Stephen, because he forgave those who were executing him.
Have to go with the Bible guy.
Being the first, in any situation, is to be commended.