Friday the 13th

This morning our TGBC reading is Luke's report of the apostles choosing seven men to serve the widows and poor of the developing Christian community, 

so that the apostles could be about their sent mission of preaching the gospel. Among them, of course, was Stephen, who soon would become the first recorded martyr for Christ, at which point we also meet St. Paul. Also prominent was Philip (not the apostle), of whom also we shall hear more. The seven appointed and ordained by laying on of hands came to be called the first deacons of the church. 

Why is Nicolaus the only one not "crowned" with a halo in the above art? Later church memory castigates him as a lustful and worldly man, and Irenaeus mentions him as namesake of the Nicolaitan heresy condemned in Revelation. 

In the art below, only Stephen and Philip are honored with a halo. Of the other five, except for tradition, we hear little or nothing more.

Acts 6:1-7

Seven Chosen to Serve

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.