[Concerning James the Brother of the Lord, and Stephen the First Martyr.]
VIII. Now concerning the martyrs, we say to you that they are to be had in all honour with you, as we honour the blessed James the bishop, and the holy Stephen our fellow-servant. For these are reckoned blessed by God, and are honoured by holy men, who were pure from all transgressions, immoveable when tempted to sin, or persuaded from good works, without dispute deserving encomiums: of whom also David speaks, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy ones;” 66 Ps. cxvi. 15. and Solomon says, “The memory of the just is with encomiums:” 67 Prov. x. 7. of whom also the prophet speaks, “Righteous men are taken away.” 68 Isa. lvii. 1, LXX.
[8] Περὶ δὲ τῶν μαρτύρων λέγομεν ὑμῖν, ὅπως πάσῃ τιμῇ ὦσιν παρ' ὑμῖν, ὡς καὶ παρ' ἡμῖν τετίμηνται ὁ μακάριος Ἰάκωβος ὁ ἐπίσκοπος καὶ ὁ ἅγιος ἡμῶν συνδιάκονος Στέφανος. Οὗτοι γάρ εἰσιν καὶ ὑπὸ Θεοῦ μεμακαρισμένοι καὶ ὑπὸ ὁσίων ἀνδρῶν τετιμημένοι, καθαροὶ πάσης πλημμελείας, ἄτρεπτοι πρὸς ἁμαρτίαν, ἀμετάπειστοι τῶν καλῶν, ἀνενδοίαστοι πρὸς ἐγκώμια, περὶ ὧν καὶ ὁ Δαυὶδ ἔλεγεν: «Τίμιος ἐναντίον Κυρίου ὁ θάνατος τῶν ὁσίων αὐτοῦ.» Καὶ ὁ Σολομών: «Μνήμη δικαίων μετ' ἐγκωμίων.» Περὶ ὧν καὶ ὁ προφήτης ἔλεγεν: «Ἄνδρες δίκαιοι αἴρονται.»