Laurence – Saint and Martyr

Much of the life of St Laurence is unknown or speculative. It is, however, known that in 258 AD the Emperor Valerian ordered the persecution of the Christians.

The story handed down is that, as a deacon in Spain around about this time, Laurence – or Lorenzo as he would have been known – found himself subject to orders from the prefect of Rome to deliver up the riches and valuables of his church. He had three days in which to accomplish the task. During those three days he gathered up all the church treasures he could find and distributed them to the poor so that the authorities would get nothing. 

On the third day he presented himself to the prefect who demanded the handing over of the riches. Laurence turned about him and pointed to the poor, sick and lame and declared that they, these people, were the true riches of the church.

Because of this, it is said that the prefect ordered the making of a large iron gridiron to which Laurence was chained. Laurence was then placed over a red hot fire. Many of the early images of St Laurence show the gridiron.

There is a somewhat unlikely and gruesome story that, during this fatal torture, Laurence exclaimed that he was well done on one side and should now be turned over. In consequence, Laurence became in due course the patron saint of both chefs and comedians.

Lawrence or Laurence? In the Roman Catholic tradition, the former is the usual spelling. But in the Anglican Church, it is the latter. 

St Lawrence is one of the most widely venerated saints in the Roman Catholic tradition. There are numerous churches throughout the world of which he is the patron saint, including at least six in Rome. His fame goes further with the naming of the St Lawrence River in Canada and the monastery known as San Lorenzo del Escorial, built by King Philip II of Spain near Madrid.

In Britain, as many as 228 churches were dedicated to St Laurence prior to the Reformation, a popularity perhaps brought about by the presentation of some of his relics to Oswiu, King of Northumbria (CE 641-670) by the Pope.

The feast day of St Laurence is 10th August and is still celebrated by Combe Feast and the Combe Feast service in the Church to this day.

Thank you to David T. D. Clarke