The saint who is venerated as the first English martyr

St Alban (June 22) is venerated by Anglicans, Catholics and Orthodox Christians

Source: Catholic Herald

A 13th-century manuscript at Trinity College Library, Dublin, shows the executioner’s eyes falling out as he kills the saint A 13th-century manuscript at Trinity College Library, Dublin, shows the executioner’s eyes falling out as he kills the saint
    

St Alban is venerated as the first English martyr. He was a Romano-British pagan living in the city of Verulamium sometime during the third or fourth century. During a purge of Christians, Alban shielded a Christian priest, traditionally known Amphibalus, in his home as he fled from Roman soldiers. Alban was so impressed by the priest’s piety that he converted to Christianity.

When the Romans realised Amphibalus’ whereabouts they came to seize him. But Alban, disguising himself in the cloak of Amphibalus, offered himself to the soldier. He was then taken to the pagan temple at Verulamium and presented to the judge. The judge was furious when he discovered that Alban had taken Amphibalus’s place and demanded that Alban renounce Christianity and offer sacrifices to the gods. It was then that Alban spoke the words quoted in the prayer still used at St Albans Abbey: “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things.” Alban was then scourged and sentenced to death.

On his way to his execution Alban had to cross the River Ver, but it was clogged with a mob of townspeople who wanted to watch the execution. Alban is said to have prayed for a quick death and the river subsequently dried up, allowing Alban and his captors to cross on dry land. When Alban’s executioner witnessed this he fell to his feet and prayed that he would suffer with Alban or be executed. Both the soldier and Alban were beheaded, but as Alban’s head fell to the ground so did the eyes of the second executioner, who killed Alban. The judge who witnessed these events was so moved that he ended the persecution of Christians and began to honour the saints. The place of St Alban’s death is where St Albans Cathedral now stands.

The site of Alban’s martyrdom soon grew popular. In 429, Bishop Germanus of Auxerre visited and reportedly took away relics of the earth which was still bloodied.

St Alban is venerated by Anglicans, Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Every year, on the weekend which falls closest to the time of Alban’s martyrdom, St Albans Cathedral hosts the Alban Pilgrimage, with huge puppets re-enacting the events of his heroic death.

5 июля 2014 г.

Смотри также
Venerable Ekvtime of Mt. Athos, the Translator(†1028) Venerable Ekvtime of Mt. Athos, the Translator(†1028) Commemorated May 13/26 Venerable Ekvtime of Mt. Athos, the Translator(†1028) Venerable Ekvtime of Mt. Athos, the Translator(†1028) Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze Venerable Ekvtime of Mt. Athos was the son of St. Ioane of Mt. Athos, a military commander during the reign of King Davit Kuropalates, who abandoned the world to enter the monastic life.While St. Ioane was laboring on Mt. Olympus, the Byzantine emperor returned a large portion of the conquered Georgian lands, but in exchange for this benefaction he ordered that the children of certain eminent aristocrats be taken to Constantinople as surety. Saint Tbeli Abuseridze (13th century) Saint Tbeli Abuseridze (13th century) Commemorated August 17/30 Saint Tbeli Abuseridze (13th century) Saint Tbeli Abuseridze (13th century) Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze Holy Father Tbeli Abuseridze lived and labored in the 13th century. His father Ioane, the archduke of Upper Atchara, perished in a battle with the Turks. After Tbeli’s mother was widowed, she was tonsured a nun and given the name Ekaterine. Tbeli’s brothers, Abuseri and Bardan, were also well-known figures in their time.  Holy Hierarch Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames and Apostle of Wessex Holy Hierarch Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames and Apostle of Wessex Commemorated December 3/16 (repose) and September 4/17 (translation of relics)  Holy Hierarch Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames and Apostle of Wessex Holy Hierarch Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames and Apostle of Wessex Commemorated December 3/16 (repose) and September 4/17 (translation of relics) Dmitry Lapa In 635 the bishop successfully reached the shores of Albion and landed in the port of Southampton on the south coast of Britain, in the Kingdom of Wessex. He intended to go further inland where there were no missionaries, but since he met only pagans in Wessex, he realized that he must remain there.  Holy Hierarch Egwin, Bishop of Worcester Holy Hierarch Egwin, Bishop of Worcester Commemorated December 30/January 12 (repose) and September 10/23 (translation of relics)  Holy Hierarch Egwin, Bishop of Worcester Holy Hierarch Egwin, Bishop of Worcester Commemorated December 30/January 12 (repose) and September 10/23 (translation of relics) Dmitry Lapa Once a certain herdsman named Ioves was searching for a pig that had gone astray. He walked deep into the forest and saw the Mother of God with two angels on the site of present-day Evesham. Amazed by this vision, the herdsman told Bishop Egwin about the miracle. The saint prayed very hard for several days and then decided to go to that place himself. The holy hierarch had exactly the same vision, which had already appeared to Ioves. The Mother of God ordered Bishop Egwin to found a monastery on the site and blessed him with a cross. This event is considered to be the first recorded miraculous appearance of the Mother of God in England. Holy Hierarch David, Patron Saint of Wales Holy Hierarch David, Patron Saint of Wales Commemorated March 1/14 Holy Hierarch David, Patron Saint of Wales Holy Hierarch David, Patron Saint of Wales Commemorated: March1/14 Dmitry Lapa The abbot led the same simple life as his monks and worked as hard as any of them. All the community members wore simple clothes and all their belongings were held in common. Voluntary poverty and the refusal of all possessions were among the main rules of the monastery. St. David himself, like many other Celtic saints, used to retreat to the river to read the whole Psalter, standing in cold river water even in winter. Melangell With A Thousand Angels Melangell With A Thousand Angels Commemorated May 27/June 9 Melangell With A Thousand Angels Melangell With A Thousand Angels Commemorated May 27/June 9 Nun Nectaria (McLees) Little known outside Wales and Great Britain, the secluded Welsh shrine of St. Melangel, deep in the Berwyn Mountains, is dedicated to a sixth-century Irishwoman, an anchorite who lived here for many years, alone and unknown. An early Christian treasure, it is the oldest existing Romanesque shrine in northern Europe.
Комментарии
Здесь Вы можете оставить свой комментарий к данной статье. Все комментарии будут прочитаны редакцией портала Православие.Ru.
Войдите через FaceBook ВКонтакте Яндекс Mail.Ru Google или введите свои данные:
Ваше имя:
Ваш email:
Введите число, напечатанное на картинке
Храм Новомученников Церкви Русской. Внести лепту