Lawrence, Saint

Lawrence or Laurence, Saint, d. 258, Roman deacon and martyr. According to legend he was roasted to death on a gridiron. The Latin Fathers praise him in their writings for his role in the conversion of Rome. One of the most venerated martyrs of the Roman Catholic Church. Feast: Aug. 10.

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Lawrence, Saint

 or Saint Laurence

(died 258, Rome; feast day August 10) Roman martyr. He was one of seven deacons in Rome during the papacy of Sixtus II. When the pope was executed during the persecution of Christians under Valerian, the authorities asked Lawrence to surrender the churches' treasures to the state, and he responded by distributing the money to the poor, for which he was condemned to death. His fearless behavior at his execution was responsible for many conversions; according to one legend, he was roasted to death on a gridiron, remarking to his torturers, “I am cooked on that side; turn me over, and eat.”