The 1st recorded British Catholic martyr.

Alban lived in Verulanium, a town in Roman Britain, about a day’s walk from London around 300 AD.

During this time, Catholics suffered greatly through cruel persecutions, starting with Emperor Diocletian, with edicts stating that all people were to worship the state gods. Churches and Cathedrals were being destroyed under the Roman Empire.

Although Alban was a pagan himself, he met a priest, Amphibalus, who was fleeing from persecutors and sheltered in his home for a number of days. The priest prayed and kept watch day and night which made such a great impression on him that he received instruction and became a Christian himself.

The governor of his town somehow became aware of the priest’s hiding location and sent his soldiers. Alban changed clothes with his guest and gave himself up instead. He was presented before the judge, who was at a pagan altar, making sacrifices. The judge learned his true identity and became furious that he had given himself up for someone who despised and blasphemed the gods. The harbored priest had escaped, and the judge declared that Alban was to endure the same punishment unless he would comply with the sacrificial rites of the false gods.

Alban declared, “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things.” The judge again commanded that he sacrifice to the gods at once there at the altar. Alban replied with “Your sacrifices are offered to the devils. They cannot help you or answer your requests. The reward for such sacrifices are everlasting punishment of hell.”

He was sentenced to be whipped and when he still didn’t comply was to be beheaded. On the journey to his execution, Alban’s faith was so impressed upon the soldier who was to kill him that he was miraculously converted himself and became a martyr as well.

Saint Albans Cathedral now stands near the believed site of his execution.

He is the patron saint of converts, refugees, and torture victims.

His feast day is June 22.

For God’s Glory.

Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban founded in the 8th century with his relics and located at the site of execution.