22 June 2007

Saint Alban of Verulamium

Martyr

Commemoration - June 22

Prayer - Almighty God, your holy martyr Saint Alban, filled with your grace and strength, triumphed in the midst of suffering and was faithful even to death. Grant that we, who remember him today, may recieve the strength of the Spirit to stand courageously for our faith in this world, and recieve the crown of everlasting life in the world to come. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Readings - No Appointed Readings

Biography - Saint Alban of Verulamium (the city now known as St. Alban's, about twenty miles northeast of London, England) was a soldier in the Roman Army who gave shelter to a priest who was fleeing from persecution. During his time with the priest, he was converted. When officers came to Alban's house, he took upon himself the priest's clothes so that the priest might escape. Alban was hauled before the local magistrate. According to St. Bede, Alban encountered the magistrate before a pagan altar and confessed his Christain faith. As a result, he was tortured and murdered.

While traditionally the year 303 or 304 is named as the year of his death, recent studies suggest that he may have actually been martyred during the persecution initiated by the Emperor Septimius Severus in the year 209.

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