Saint Alban
Alban of Britain | |
|---|---|
| Protomartyr of Britain | |
| Born | unknown Verulamium, Roman Britain (modern-day St Albans, United Kingdom) |
| Died | disputed: 209, c. 251 or 304 Holywell Hill (formerly Holmhurst Hill), St Albans |
| Venerated in | Anglican Communion Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban |
| Feast | 22 June (Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church, General Roman Calendar of 1960)
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, for which reason he is considered to be the protomartyr of Britain. 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-day St Albans) sometime during the 3rd or 4th century, and has been celebrated there since ancient times.