Alban, Protomartyr of Britain

Holy Martyr Alban, the first martyr of Britain, beheaded at Verulamium.

Saint Alban was a citizen of Verulamium in Roman Britain who sheltered a persecuted Christian priest and was converted by him. Exchanging clothes with the priest so that he might escape, Alban was arrested in his place, confessed Christ and was beheaded, in the third or early fourth century.

The city of Saint Albans grew up around his shrine, and he is honoured as the protomartyr of Britain.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Alban, Protomartyr of Britain is commemorated on June 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 30 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Alban

Also commemorated on June 17

• Isauros and companions

  Martyr, Ίσαυρος

  Holy Martyrs Isaurus and companions.

  Name days: Isauros

• Manuel, Sabel and Ismael, Martyrs

  Martyr, Μανουήλ, Σαβέλ και Ισμαήλ

  Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel and Ismael, Persian brothers and envoys beheaded by Julian the Apostate.

  Name days: Manouil, Manuel, Manolis, Manos, Emmanouil, Sabel, Savel, Ismael, Ismail, Emmanuel

• Philonides of Kourion

  Hierarch, Φιλωνίδης

  Hieromartyr Philonides, Bishop of Kourion in Cyprus.

• Hypatius of Rufinianae

  Venerable, Υπάτιος ο εν Ρουφινιαναίς

  Venerable Hypatius, abbot of the monastery of Rufinianae near Chalcedon.

• Pior the Venerable

  Venerable, Πίωρ

  Venerable Pior of Egypt, a desert father and disciple of Saint Anthony.