Alban | |
---|---|
Martyr | |
Born | unknown Verulamium, Britannia |
Died | disputed: 22 June 209, c. 251 or 304 Holywell Hill (formerly Holmhurst Hill), St Albans |
Venerated in | Anglican Communion Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
Major shrine | Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban |
Feast | 22 June (General Roman Calendar of 1960 and Anglican Communion)
20 June (Current Roman Calendar) |
Attributes | Soldier with a very large cross and a sword; decapitated, with his head in a holly bush and the eyes of his executioner dropping out |
Patronage | converts, refugees, torture victims |
Saint Alban (/ˈɔːlbən, ˈæl-/; Latin: Albanus) is venerated as the first-recorded British Christian martyr,[1] for which reason he is considered to be the British protomartyr. Along with fellow Saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three named martyrs recorded at an early date from Roman Britain ("Amphibalus" was the name given much later to the priest he was said to have been protecting). He is traditionally believed to have been beheaded in Verulamium (modern St Albans) sometime during the 3rd or 4th century, and has been celebrated there since ancient times.