I'm leaving, but where to?
St. Stephen from the former rood screen of St. Paul's Cathedral
Johann Brabender
1536–1542
Sandstone
Domschatz Münster, Inv.-Nr. E.58
The apostles select seven deacons—including Stephen—to assist their community in Jerusalem. His Christian convictions lead to conflict with other Jews, and the dispute is brought before the High Council.
The Acts of the Apostles leaves the outcome open: Is Stephen sentenced to death by the Council? Or does an enraged crowd stone him without a formal verdict?
Stephen is among the figures depicted on the rood screen in Münster Cathedral. In art, the saint is often portrayed—in accordance with the description in the Acts of the Apostles—dressed as a deacon, even though such vestments only came into use at a later date.
His inclusion on the rood screen testifies to the saint's significance; like the apostles, he played a vital role in the success of the Christian proclamation.
His veneration in Münster is also evident in the cathedral’s St. Stephen’s Choir, where a sculpture and an altar commemorate the saint.
