MARTYRDOM in the early Church brought together a variety of different charisms and spiritualities.  Often the martyr was a Church leader, such as a bishop.  The martyr's "witness" was thus a public proclamation and TEACHING as well as a testimony of SANCTITY.  But the lay martyr who publically proclaimed her faith in spite of persecution was also a living experience of Old Testament PROPHECY, in which the prophet had proclaimed the Law to those who had forsaken it (and who often ignored or persecuted the prophet).

DURING the Intertestamental period the prophet had become also a SEER, one whose eyes were able to pierce into the heavens and see the throne of God.  In the Book of Acts Stephen's martyrdom is preceded by just such a vision. Finally, in addition tobeing a PROPHET and CONTEMPLATIVE, the martyr was also an INTERCESSOR, one whose prayers had power to effect remission of sins and sometimes other miracles.