Saint Lawrence

:This page concerns the Christian martyr.

Related Topics:
Christian - Martyr

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Saint Lawrence (Latin Laurentius, "laurelled") was one of the seven deacons of Rome who were martyred under the persecution of Valerian in 258. Cyprian, the contemporary bishop of Carthage (Epistles 80.1: ad Successum) mentions the directive of Valerian that Christian bishops, presbyters, and deacons should forthwith be punished, and records the martyrdom of Xystus bishop of Rome, in accordance with it on August 6 (Wace).

Related Topics:
Deacons - Rome - Martyr - Valerian - 258 - Cyprian

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The Acta of Lawrence, if they ever existed, were lost by the time of Augustine, one of whose sermons on Saint Lawrence (Sermo 302, de Sancto Laurent.) admits that his narration was gained from tradition instead of reciting the Acts as his preferred custom was (St Ambrose, de Officina i. 41).

Related Topics:
Acta - Augustine

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Such early legends made Lawrence a native of Huesca (Roman Osca) in Hispania Tarraconensis, who had received religious instruction from Archdeacon Sixtus in Rome. When Sixtus became bishop (by courtesy, in retrospect "Pope") in 257, Lawrence was ordained a deacon and was placed in charge of the administration of Church goods and care for the poor. For this duty, he is regarded as one of the first archivists and treasurers of the Church and made the patron of librarians.

Related Topics:
Legend - Huesca - Hispania Tarraconensis - Sixtus - 257

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In the persecutions under Emperor Valerian I in 258, numerous priests and bishops were put to death, while Christians belonging to the nobility or the senate were deprived of their goods and exiled. Pope St. Sixtus II was one of the first victims of this persecution, being crucified on August 6. A legend cited by St Ambrose of Milan says that Lawrence met the Pope on his way to his execution, where he is reported to have said, "Where are you going, my dear father, without your son? Where are you hurrying off to, holy priest, without your deacon? Before you never mounted the altar of sacrifice without your servant, and now you wish to do it without me?" The Pope is reported to have prophesied that "after three days you will follow me". Modern scholars tend to read this moving encounter as a literary invention.

Related Topics:
Emperor Valerian I - 258 - Priest - Bishop - Senate - August 6 - Ambrose - Milan

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