Which saint is recognized as the first Christian martyr?

The saint recognized as the first Christian martyr is Saint Stephen. He is traditionally called the protomartyr, a title meaning “first martyr,” because the Acts of the Apostles describes his execution for publicly proclaiming his Christian faith.

According to Acts 6–7, Stephen was one of seven men chosen to serve the early Jerusalem Christian community. He is described as full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and his speech before the Jewish council recounts Israel’s history while accusing his opponents of resisting God’s messengers.

Stephen was condemned and stoned outside Jerusalem. As he died, he prayed for God to receive his spirit and asked that his killers not be held responsible. Saul of Tarsus, who later became the apostle Paul, is described as consenting to Stephen’s death.

The account also explains why Stephen is commonly confused with later prominent martyrs such as James. James was an important early Christian martyr, but Stephen is the one traditionally given the title of Christianity’s first martyr.