Who Was Saint Alban?
Alban was the first martyr of Britain. In a time and place where standing up for Christian beliefs was dangerous, Alban publicly bore witness to his convictions and served as an inspiration for the early Christian community.
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. Albans. 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 prayers 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 the priest, if he had indeed become a Christian.
Alban declared his Christian faith, saying in words still used in prayers, “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. 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. He was brought out of town, across the river, and up a hill to the site of execution where his head was cut off.
Legend tells us that on the hilltop a spring of water miraculously appeared to give the martyr a drink. Also, moved by his witness, the original executioner refused to carry out the deed, and after his replacement killed Alban, the executioner’s eyes dropped out. This is based on the account of the Venerable Bede (ca. 760 AD) who tells us, “When the peace of Christian times was restored, a beautiful church worthy of his martyrdom was built, where sick folk are healed and frequent miracles take place to this day.”
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 Middle Ages, St. Albans 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. Albans, 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.
St. Albans day is June 22nd.
Collect for St. Albans Day
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.
The Alban Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for this place built to your glory and in memory of Alban, our first martyr. Following his example in the fellowship of the saints, may we worship and adore the true and living God, and be faithful witnesses to the Christ, who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.