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ST. ALBAN (June 22nd)
is the earliest Christian in Britain who is known by name. We know his name
because he is the first person on record in Britain to be executed on the charge
of being a Christian. Thus, Alban is titled “First Martyr of Britain.” He lived
in the middle 200’s. It seems he was a prominent citizen in the city of
Verulamium (now St. Alban’s), about twenty miles northeast of London. Although
he was a pagan and an official of the Roman army, he gave shelter to a Christian
priest who was fleeing from persecution.
Alban was so impressed by the
priest’s faith that he was converted and taught by him. When soldiers learned of
the fugitive priest’s location, they raided Alban’s house. But Alban had been
tipped off. He dressed in the priest’s clerical garments and surrendered
himself, allowing his father in the faith to escape. When the deception was
discovered, the judge demanded Alban’s true name and then had him flogged,
ordering him to recant his faith. Alban refused, and was sentenced to death. The
assigned executioner was so moved by Alban’s witness that he too was converted
and refused to carry out the execution. Both were beheaded. Shortly afterwards,
the judge ordered an end to the persecution.
The sit of Alban’s martyrdom
and nearby tomb became a shrine and later a monastery. A great abbey church
(begun in 1077) was built over the site. It now serves as the cathedral for the
Diocese of St. Alban’s. Fittingly, no English cathedral is built on higher
ground. |
