Lawrence, Saint

or Saint Laurence

died 258, Rome; feast day August 10

Roman martyr.

He was one of seven deacons in Rome during the papacy of Sixtus II. When the pope was executed during the persecution of Christians under Valerian, the authorities asked Lawrence to surrender the churches' treasures to the state, and he responded by distributing the money to the poor, for which he was condemned to death. His fearless behavior at his execution was responsible for many conversions; according to one legend, he was roasted to death on a gridiron, remarking to his torturers, "I am cooked on that side; turn me over, and eat."

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▪ Christian saint

Lawrence also spelled  Laurence  

died 258, Rome [Italy]; feast day August 10

      one of the most venerated Roman martyrs, celebrated for his Christian valour.

      Lawrence was among the seven deacons of the Roman church serving Pope St. Sixtus II (Sixtus II, Saint), whose martyrdom preceded Lawrence's by a few days: they were executed during the persecution under the Roman emperor Valerian. It is said that Lawrence gave the church's treasures to the poor and the sick before his arrest. Although Lawrence was probably beheaded, Bishop St. Ambrose of Milan and the Latin poet Prudentius, among others, recorded that he was roasted to death on a gridiron, remarking to his torturers at one point, “I am cooked on that side; turn me over, and eat.” Many conversions to Christianity throughout Rome reportedly followed Lawrence's death, including those of several senators witnessing his execution. The Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura (St. Lawrence Outside the Walls), Rome, was built over his burial place. He is named in the canon of the Roman mass.

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