Translation of the Relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople (c. 428), and the Finding of the Relics of the Righteous Nicodemus, Gamaliel and His Son Abibus

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

The Jews stoned the Protomartyr Stephen to death, and threw his holy body out under the open sky to be torn by birds and beasts. The next night Gamaliel, a renowned Jewish teacher of the Law already inclined towards the faith of the Saviour, who had defended the apostles before the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34–40), had faithful men carry away the blessed one’s remains, and buried them in a cave on his estate near Jerusalem.

When Nicodemus, the Saviour’s secret disciple (John 3:1–21; 7:50–52; 19:38–42), died, Gamaliel buried him near Stephen’s grave. Later Gamaliel himself was buried there too, together with his baptised son Abibus.

In 415 Archbishop John, together with the bishops Eleutherius of Sebaste and Eleutherius of Jericho, miraculously uncovered the relics of the saints and solemnly translated them to Jerusalem. From that time on many healings took place at these holy things.

Later, in the time of the pious King Theodosius the Younger (408–450), the relics of the Protomartyr Stephen were translated from Jerusalem to Constantinople and laid in the church of the holy deacon Laurence. When a church dedicated to Saint Stephen was built, the incorrupt relics were translated there (on 2 August).