Feast day: June 20
St. Alban
A pagan of Roman Britain who sheltered a fugitive priest, was converted by him, took his place when soldiers came, and so became the first known martyr of Britain.
Alban is honoured as the first Christian martyr of Britain — the 'protomartyr' of the English — though he himself was a pagan Roman of the city of Verulamium when his story began, probably in the third or early fourth century.
During a persecution of Christians, a fugitive priest sought refuge in Alban's house. Alban sheltered him, and over the following days was so moved by the priest's faith and constancy in prayer that he asked to be instructed and was baptized. When soldiers came searching for the priest, Alban put on the cleric's cloak and gave himself up in his place, letting his guest escape.
Brought before the judge, he refused to renounce his new faith or to sacrifice to the Roman gods, declaring himself a Christian. He was scourged and condemned to death. Tradition adorns his execution with miracles, and says that his appointed executioner was so struck by what he saw that he too was converted on the spot.
Alban was beheaded on the hill above the town, where in time a great abbey rose and the city took his name, St Albans. Honoured from very early times — the Venerable Bede tells his story — he remains a patron of converts and of those who shelter the persecuted.
He died in another man's place — giving the hunted priest his own cloak to escape — and the city of St Albans grew up around his grave.
Image: DaveWebster14 (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
Source: newadvent.org/cathen/01252b.htm
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