St. Alban
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Saint Alban | |
|---|---|
 Saint Alban | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | unknown Verulamium |
| Died | disputed: 22 June 209, c.251 or 304 Holywell Hill (formerly Holmhurst Hill), St Albans |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church; Anglican Communion; Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban |
| Feast | 22 June |
| Attributes | Soldier with a very large cross and a sword; decapitated, with his head in a holly bush and the eyes of his executioner dropping out |
| Patronage | converts, refugees, torture victims |
St. Alban was the first British Christian martyr.[1][2] He was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity.
A priest was being chased by the Romans and St. Alban swapped clothes with the priest so he could escape. When they found out, the romans ordered St. Alban to be killed. As he was a fine soldier, he was allowed to be beheaded by the sword than by the axe, because it was more honorable. When they cut off St. Alban's head, the executioner's eyes fell out into his hand, and he was blinded.
The bones of St. Alban were kept in a shrine in St. Albans Abbey. They were stolen during the 19th century. The town of St. Albans is named after him.
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "St. Alban", Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent.
- ↑ "Attractions", Tourism, St Albans District Council
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