[{"id":488940208444,"handle":"bethlehem-olive-wood","title":"Bethlehem Olive Wood","updated_at":"2024-12-13T08:40:01-05:00","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eOur Bethlehem Olive Wood crosses are made from certified genuine Bethlehem Olive Wood in the Holy Land. These crosses range in size, but are all designed to fit in the palm of your hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of our Bethlehem Olive Wood Crosses come in a gift box, except the key chain and the rosary which come in a satin bag.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-05-02T12:08:32-04:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"olive wood"}],"published_scope":"global","image":{"created_at":"2024-05-02T12:50:04-04:00","alt":null,"width":2048,"height":1639,"src":"\/\/holylandwoodandstone.com\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/Olive-Wood-Crosses-and-Palms.jpg?v=1714668605"}},{"id":488939815228,"handle":"engraved","title":"Engraved","updated_at":"2024-11-29T06:25:02-05:00","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eWhether it's our authentic Bethlehem Olive Wood products or our other consumer products. All of our engraved products go through our thorough four step process.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-05-02T11:56:07-04:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"engraved"}],"published_scope":"global"},{"id":283781955695,"handle":"engraved-wood","title":"Engraved Wood Holding Crosses","updated_at":"2024-11-29T06:25:02-05:00","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to Holy Land Wood and Stone, your premier destination for exquisitely engraved wood products. Discover our collection of meticulously crafted and engraved items, featuring our large Holding Cross made from authentic Bethlehem Olive Wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach piece is expertly engraved to showcase intricate designs, personalized messages, or meaningful symbols, offering a unique blend of beauty and spirituality to elevate your space. Explore our engraved wood collection and experience the timeless elegance of Authentic Bethlehem Olive Wood brought to life through exquisite engravings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur engraved Olive Wood crosses are made from certified genuine Bethlehem Olive Wood. These crosses are 4 1\/2\" by 3 1\/2\" and designed to be held and fit in the palm of your hand. Our engraved line comes with some of the most popular saints and cause ribbons. All engraved crosses come in a gift box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHave something that you want engraved but don't see it. Send us an e-mail and let us know.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-10-19T19:30:50-04:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"engraved-crosses","disjunctive":true,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Saint"}],"published_scope":"global","image":{"created_at":"2024-06-21T17:18:04-04:00","alt":"Engraved olive wood cross with image of the Blessed Virgin Mary","width":1920,"height":1080,"src":"\/\/holylandwoodandstone.com\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/1.jpg?v=1719431877"}},{"id":491543396668,"handle":"prayer-collection","title":"Prayer Collection","updated_at":"2024-12-13T08:40:01-05:00","body_html":"","published_at":"2024-06-21T16:44:01-04:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":true,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Rosary"},{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Holding Cross"},{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"journey holding cross"},{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"prayer cards"},{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"engraved"}],"published_scope":"global","image":{"created_at":"2024-06-21T16:44:35-04:00","alt":"Olive wood rosary next to flowers and leaves","width":1920,"height":1080,"src":"\/\/holylandwoodandstone.com\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/18v2.png?v=1719002940"}},{"id":71766343735,"handle":"holding-crosses","title":"Religious Items","updated_at":"2024-12-13T08:40:01-05:00","body_html":"\u003cp class=\"w-col-6\"\u003eLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris congue a tortor in volutpat. Nunc convallis orci id purus faucibus lacinia. Proin id libero commodo, consequat tortor in, efficitur tortor. Donec magna odio, laoreet sit amet sagittis sit amet, semper a risus. Maecenas venenatis risus cursus neque sagittis, non maximus erat auctor.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-06-14T11:20:05-04:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":true,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Holding Cross"},{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Religious"}],"published_scope":"global","image":{"created_at":"2019-07-31T09:02:14-04:00","alt":null,"width":4345,"height":3476,"src":"\/\/holylandwoodandstone.com\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/Peace_Cross.jpg?v=1582235048"}}]
Stephen (c. 5 – c. 34 AD) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early Church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him[Acts 7:51–53] and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become a Christian apostle, participated in Stephen's martyrdom.[Acts 22:20]
The only source for information about Stephen is the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen is mentioned in Acts 6 as one of the Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jews selected to participate in a fairer distribution of welfare to the Greek-speaking widows.
The Catholic, Anglican, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox Churches, Lutheran and the Church of the East view Stephen as a saint. Artistic representations often show Stephen with a crown symbolizing martyrdom, three stones, martyr's palm frond, censer, and often holding a miniature church building. Stephen is often shown as a young, beardless man with a tonsure, wearing a deacon's vestments.
Our Saint Stephen holding cross takes our largest holding cross and laser engraves a picture of Saint Stephen on the bottom of the cross. The cross is 4" by 2" and is made to fit in your hand. Hand crafted out of Bethlehem Olive Wood in the Holy Land, this cross comes with a Saint Stephen prayer card.
Bethlehem Olive Wood products bear a profound significance in religious contexts, reflecting the rich tapestry of spirituality woven throughout the Holy Land. Sourced from the ancient olive trees that have stood witness to millennia of history, this wood carries a deep symbolism of peace, prosperity, and divine grace. Crafted into exquisite gifts, each piece resonates with the sacred heritage of Bethlehem, where the biblical narrative unfolded. Whether fashioned into crosses, nativity sets, or intricately carved ornaments, Bethlehem Olive Wood artifacts serve as tangible expressions of faith, bridging believers to the timeless traditions and spiritual sanctity of the region.