Monday, August 10, 2009

Feast of St. Lawrence

Today is the Feast of St. Lawrence, one of the seven deacons of the Roman church and a victim of the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. In the year 258, in August, the same emperor issued an edict commanding all bishops, priests and deacons should be put to death immediately. (cf. Cyprian, Epist. LXXX, 1).

St. Lawrence has become one of the most venerated martyrs of the Roman church and his name is mentioned in the Roman Canon.

I thought it fitting to share with you an image of St. Lawrence from the basilica dedicated to him in Rome, St. Lawrence outside the Walls, as well as the confessio beneath the high altar of the same basilica, where his relics are kept and venerated.





Image source: The Roman Sacristan

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