Alban is the earliest Christian in Britain who is known by
name and, according to tradition, the first British martyr. He was a soldier in
the Roman army stationed at Verulamium, a city about twenty miles northeast of
London, now called St. Alban’s. He gave shelter to a Christian priest who was
fleeing from persecution, and was converted by him. When officers came to
Alban’s house, he dressed himself in the garments of the priest and gave
himself up. Alban was tortured and martyred in place of the priest, on the
hilltop where the Cathedral of St. Alban’s now stands. The traditional date of
his martyrdom is 303 or 304, but recent studies suggest that the year was
actually 209, during the persecution under the Emperor Septimius Severus.
The site of Alban’s martyrdom soon became a shrine. King Offa of Mercia established a monastery, there about the year 793, and in the high Middle Ages St. Alban’s ranked as the premier Abbey in England. The great Norman abbey church, begun in 1077, now serves as the cathedral of the diocese of St. Alban’s, established in 1877. It is the second longest church in England (Winchester Cathedral is the longest, by six feet), and it is built on higher ground than any other English cathedral. In a chapel east of the choir and high Altar, there are remains of the fourteenth century marble shrine of St. Alban.
The Venerable Bede gives this account of Alban’s trial: “When Alban was brought in, the judge happened to be standing before an altar, offering sacrifice to devils . . . ‘What is your family and race?’ demanded the judge. ‘How does my family concern you?’ replied Alban; ‘If you wish to know the truth about my religion, know that I am a Christian and am ready to do a Christian’s duty.’ ‘I demand to know your name,’ insisted the judge. ‘Tell me at once.’ ‘My parents named me Alban,’ he answered, ‘and I worship and adore the living and true God, who created all things.’ ”
The site of Alban’s martyrdom soon became a shrine. King Offa of Mercia established a monastery, there about the year 793, and in the high Middle Ages St. Alban’s ranked as the premier Abbey in England. The great Norman abbey church, begun in 1077, now serves as the cathedral of the diocese of St. Alban’s, established in 1877. It is the second longest church in England (Winchester Cathedral is the longest, by six feet), and it is built on higher ground than any other English cathedral. In a chapel east of the choir and high Altar, there are remains of the fourteenth century marble shrine of St. Alban.
The Venerable Bede gives this account of Alban’s trial: “When Alban was brought in, the judge happened to be standing before an altar, offering sacrifice to devils . . . ‘What is your family and race?’ demanded the judge. ‘How does my family concern you?’ replied Alban; ‘If you wish to know the truth about my religion, know that I am a Christian and am ready to do a Christian’s duty.’ ‘I demand to know your name,’ insisted the judge. ‘Tell me at once.’ ‘My parents named me Alban,’ he answered, ‘and I worship and adore the living and true God, who created all things.’ ”
The Collect for Alban:
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban
triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now
remember him in 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. Amen.
Readings for the Day:
Psalm 34:1-8 or 31:1-5
Lessons: 1 John 3:13-16, Matthew 10:34-42
We will remember St. Alban’s at our Wednesday Eucharist on Wednesday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. Join us!
