The synopsis from St. Stephen to John Tung traces the evolution of Christian martyrdom from the Bible's first martyr, Stephen (stoned for his faith in Jesus), through centuries of persecuted saints, to modern Chinese figures like John Tung, who embodied Christ-like sacrifice, highlighting how martyrdom serves as ultimate witness, inspiring faith, subverting norms (like gender roles), and becoming potent symbols for revolutionary movements, transforming suffering into spiritual victory.