St. Alban, protomartyr of Britain (305)
Commemorated on June 22
He was a soldier in the Roman army and, according to the
venerable Bede, was brought to faith in Christ by a fugitive priest to whom he
gave shelter. The saint exchanged clothes with the priest, allowing him to
escape and ensuring his own martyrdom. Some writers, including St Bede, place
his martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian (286-303).
Saint Alban's tomb was venerated as early as 429 by St Germanus of Auxerre.
The town of Verulamium is either his home town or the place of his martyrdom;
near it a monastery was founded, around which grew the English town of St
Albans.