8th century
Feast: December 26
Byzantine monk martyred for defending the veneration of icons during iconoclastic persecution.
Stephen the Younger was a Byzantine monk who defended icons during the 8th century (714-764). He openly opposed Emperor Constantine V iconoclastic policies. Despite persecution and exile, he continued to defend the veneration of icons. He was eventually tortured and killed by iconoclasts. He became a symbol of resistance to iconoclasm and defender of orthodox tradition.