Saint Lawrence ( 225- 258) feast day 10th August

Saint Lawrence (or Laurence) is one of the most venerated Roman martyrs. He was born in Spain and went to work for the future Pope Sixtus11 in Rome. He was ordained as a deacon to work in the cathedral. He was appointed first deacon among the 7 deacons. (deacons are responsible for looking after the poor - the indigent)

He was the archdeacon of Rome a position of great trust which included the care of the treasury and riches of the church.

August 258 the Roman emperor Valerian sent out an edict that all bishops, priests and deacons should be killed. On August 8th Pope Sixtus 11 was executed.

The prefect of Rome asked Saint Lawrence to hand over the riches of the church. Saint Lawrence asked for and was granted three days to collect the riches. Instead of collecting the riches he distributed the riches/alms amongst the indigent, crippled, blind and suffering. One account suggests that he told the prefect * The church is truly rich, far richer than the emperor.* For his defiance, Lawrence the last of the 7 deacons - the ranking church official, was martyred.

In those days to be martyred you were normally beheaded. ** Legend ** has it the prefect was so angry with Saint Lawrence that he had a great gridiron prepared with hot coals underneath and Saint Lawrence was burnt alive . In pain the dying saint declared *I am roasted enough on this side; turn me over and eat

Saint Lawrence became famous. He is the patron saint for cooks, chefs and comedians. King Philip 11 of Spain had his great palace built in the shape of a grid iron.

There are over 200 churches dedicated to Saint Lawrence. There has been a Saint Lawrence church in Reading, Berkshire since 1196.

Sources used wikipedia, youronlinechoices
* The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander