Lawrence, St.

Lawrence, St. the Deacon, a martyr of the early church, the subject of an elaborate hymn by Prudentius. According to the legendary account, he was born at Huesca in Spain, and became a deacon of Rome in the pontificate of Sixtus I. (3d century). In the persecution of Valerian, being summoned before the prætor as a Christian, and being called on to deliver up the treasures of the church, he produced the poor and the sick, who were his special charge; and on his persisting in his refusal to sacrifice, he was condemned to be broiled on a gridiron. The martyrdom is unquestionably historical, its probable date 258. His day is the 10th August. The Escorial (q.v.) is dedicated to him.