Translation of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen — August 2 / August 15 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 2 according to the Julian Calendar (August 15 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople (c. 428), and the Uncovering of the Relics of the Righteous Nicodemus, Gamaliel, and his son Abibus.

The translation of the relics of the holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople took place around the year 428.

The Protomartyr Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews, and his holy body was cast out under the open sky to be torn by birds and beasts. On the second night Gamaliel — the renowned teacher of the Law who had already inclined toward faith in the Savior, and who had defended the apostles before the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34–40) — sent faithful men to carry away the body of the blessed one, and buried it in a cave on his own estate near Jerusalem.

When Nicodemus, the secret disciple of the Savior (John 3:1–21; 7:50–52; 19:38–42), reposed, Gamaliel buried him near the grave of Stephen. Later Gamaliel himself was laid to rest in the same place, together with his baptized son Abibus.

In the year 415 Archbishop John, together with Bishop Eleutherius of Sebaste and Bishop Eleutherius of Jericho, miraculously uncovered the relics of the saints and solemnly translated them to Jerusalem. From that time forward, many healings were wrought at these holy relics.

Later, in the days of the pious Emperor Theodosius the Younger (408–450), the relics of the Protomartyr Stephen were translated from Jerusalem to Constantinople and enshrined in the church of the holy Deacon Laurence. When a church was built in the name of St. Stephen, his incorrupt relics were translated there, on August 2.