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”
St. Alban gets my vote. This is my first Lenten Madness.
Welcome! Enjoy the ride.
After what stephen did for Bofa I have to vote for him
As an utter and confirmed Anglophile, I had to go with St. Alban. 🙂
I am so familiar with Stephen. My father named a stray dog that was hit by a car after Stephen. The Davidson College chapel was named St. Alban's, but I never knew about him until reading his bio this morning. Substituting himself for the bishop he was hiding and refusing to refute his newly found faith make Alban my (call me surprised!) choice.
I can only vote for Stephen!! His story in the book of Acts is so awesome and inspiring!! Plus, as a person who has had headaches all my 50 + years of life, I HAVE to vote for the patron saint of headaches!! Go, Stephen!!
Alban! Alban! Saved a priest.
Vote for him e're day has ceased!
As an artist, the image of the parting waters and the eyeballs popping offers too much potential to be ignored. I vote for Alban
Although Alban appears to have been a great man, Stephen did much more during his earthly ministry. Without him as an example, there would be no Stephen Ministry. I voted for Stephen.
Well, Lent Madness is starting out the same as it does every year...with me voting for the underdog. I should fill out two brackets - one with my picks and another one with the "winners."
Confession time... I've always found Stephen's sermon in Acts to border on the obnoxious... at least in English translation... so I have anhard time voting for him even though Ormond Platter of blessed memory and all my deacon friends probably think I'm beyond the pale for saying so...
That being said, I've always had a tender place in my heart for Alban-- courageous, bold... and how many martyrs have such eye-popping, head-rolling denouements?
What a difficult choice! First English saint versus the first Christian martyr, but , in the end, I had to cast my vote for Stephen. I named one of my sons for Stephen. He was named for his godfather AND the saint. Plus, as a family, we always spent St. Stephen's Day, December 26, visiting with his godfather.
Had to vote for Stephen -- my husband, goddaughter, and a friend's granddaughter were all born on the Feast of Stephen!
Excellent points about Wenceslas and "Love the homily, kill the homilist", and excellent points about the value of fresh water. Voting for Alban, although if possible I'd vote for that unknown priest whose teaching was so effective!
I voted for Stephen. Our son is named Stephen and my husband and I were married on Dec.26th [Stephen's feast day], 1966 at Trinity Church in Torrington,CT.
Why are these two great martyrs paired in the first round? Both should be able to advance to the very final round.
Oh dear, two of my favorite saints; but as a Deacon, how can I not vote for Blessed Stephen? I especially like that his primary "offense" was being a powerful preacher.
Despite the temptations of rolling heads and popping eyeballs, I am voting for St Stephen in honour of our current parish church. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the lovely 'Alka Selzter' Mass on St Stephen's Day, at which a deacon is invited to preach.
I vote for Stephen because he was the first.
I was hoping to see you again this year, Oliver! I agree, Stephen is the first (and that's one of the reasons I voted for him).
Yay! Oliver is back! I always look forward to your comments, Oliver. Glad to see you're post this morning.
Hi Oliver! I miss you! I also voted for Stephen for the same reason.
There you are! So glad you are here.
Oliver, you are back. I've been looking for you. I also voted for Stephen.
I'm late and it's day one but I'm going with he who was first - Stephen it is for me. And Oliver! You're back and I'm thrilled; can't tell you how happy I am to see you here again. Here we go!
Oliver, great to hear from you. glad your back and looking forward to hearing from you this year
Oh, I voted for Stephen, have to support the deacons
So happy you're back, Oliver. Looking forward to your wonderful words of wisdom.
Yay, Oliver! So glad you are commenting again!
Gotta go with Stephen for being first and for asking for them to be forgiven. But Alban gets recognition for special effects
Voting for Stephen. My son was baptized on St. Stephen's Day...reason enough!
Tough times for Stephen. The Sanhedrin must have been split along party lines with much more devastating results than we would encounter today. I hope!
Stephen gets my vote.
"your single (we mean that and we have cameras everywhere) vote." Oh my, 1984 indeed come true, our smart TV are letting big brother spy.
Alban! Alban! Saved a priest!
Slain by fierce wild human beasts.
(Of course so was Stephen, and of course it's unkind to use the word "beast" about misguided human beings who are God's children, too, but all's fair in Lent Madness and beasts rhymes with priest better than being.)
Voting for Stephen, as I am in the process. (I hope my end isn't stoning, however!)
This morning, based more on the comments than the instigating articles about Stephen and Alban, I am moved to pray for two things happening in my life. First, a Stephen Minister friend who is walking beside a friend who is dying. Second, my church who is considering its role in the Sanctuary movement and my own decision to sign up to be a responder/witness to ICE raids in our area. From rolling heads and popping eyes to tears and prayer. Lent Madness is, bar none, my favorite online community!
Welcome back Lent Madness! Go St. Stephen!
While Alban has an impressive martyr story thanks to the Venerable one, and I like these "new" saints and martyrs, it's Saint Stephen for me!
Stephen is actually IN the New Testament (Acts 6 & 7) and is the original post-Resurrection martyr for Christ. His example as the prototypical deacon inspires all in the church to true charity.
Everyone knows Stephen. St. Alban needs his moment in the sun, plus the popping eyes and rolling head makes a more colorful story. We can thank the Venerable Bede for telling the story. I read the Venerable Bede when I took a class in Old English, and have seen his tomb in Durham Cathedral. Durham is home to St. Cuthbert, whose decapitated head was carried around for quite some time as well. The Bede must have had a fascination with decapitation.
Go Alban! A priest hider - I'd like to think Alban is there for me when it's time to hide!
I tend to champion the underdog.