Three for St. Stephen

The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins. ―  Søren Kierkegaard,

We can see clearly that the end of following Christ wholeheartedly is to share, very possibly, in his very end. We can have great confidence that multitudes of fellow pilgrims have won the contest, fought the good fight, and endured martyrdom before the watching hosts of heaven. ― Greg Gordon, The Following of Christ

It is not the torture, but the cause which makes the martyr.  - St. Augustine