St Alban from a window in the Lady Chapel by Charles Kempe (Edgar Carter) 1885
Alban lived (at some time during the 3rd century) in the Roman city of Verulamium. Although he was then a worshipper of Roman gods including the emperor, he gave shelter to a Christian priest fleeing from persecution. Influenced by the priest's prayer and teaching he became a Christian.
When the authorities discovered the priest's hiding place Alban exchanged clothes with him. The priest escaped and Alban was bound and taken before the judge. The judge was furious at the deception, and ordered that Alban should receive the punishment due to the priest, if he had indeed become a Christian.
Alban declared his Christian faith, saying in words still used here as a prayer "I worship and adore the true and living God, who created all things." Despite flogging he refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods and was sentenced to death.
He was brought out of the town, across the river and up a hill to the site of execution where his head was cut off.
Readings:
Psalm 34:1-8 or 31:1-5
1 John 3:13-16
Matthew 10:34-42
PRAYER
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Biography of Alban and image from the website of St. Alban's Cathedral in England.
I like Alban - this is the anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate.
ReplyDeleteAnn, congratulations. And how many years ago was that?
ReplyDelete1995 -- omg
ReplyDeleteSt Alban's is correctly pronounced "S'nawlbans" - two syllables, break between "l" & "b".
ReplyDeleteLapin, I probably wouldn't know what the English person was saying - like SinJin - except I know that one.
ReplyDeleteActually, that pronunciation is exaggeratedly pretentious.
ReplyDeleteWell then, I'll know never to pronounce it that way if I go back.
ReplyDeleteWe had a politician here in Australia who pronounced his name Sinjin. Come to think of it he was pretentious :-)
ReplyDeleteBrian, LOL. Lapin's right, then.
ReplyDeleteI've been to St. Albans. It was a wonderful experience that has stayed with me. I'm a sucker for ruins.
ReplyDeleteThee and me, Alice. I love ruins, too, especially ruins of holy places.
ReplyDeleteAnd we think being a Christian is hard now?
ReplyDeleteFWIW
jimB
Jim, perhaps if the cost was higher, we'd take our responsibility to live the Gospel with more seriousness, or perhaps we'd simply fall away. I don't know, but the stories of the martyrs pull me up short and make me think.
ReplyDelete