His mother Anna prayed to God for him. He became a monk when he was 16 years old with Elder John on Mount Axentius near Constantinople. There he practiced asceticism and many disciples gathered around him. The iconoclastic Emperor Constantine Coprinus first exiled him to the island of Prokonis, then returned him to Constantinople and threw him into chains. In the dungeon, Saint Stephen found 342 monk prisoners, who kept the church rule there as if they were in a monastery. The saint foresaw his death 40 days earlier and said goodbye to his brethren. The emperor's servants dragged him through the streets of Constantinople, while heretics stoned him. Someone hit him on the head with a stick and he expired. Saint Stephen gave up his soul to the Lord in 767, when he was 53 years old.

Holy New Martyr Christ. Venerable Anna. Holy Faithful Emperor Mauritius. Christmas Fast.