Lawrence the Archdeacon

Holy Archdeacon-Martyr Laurence of Rome.

St. Lawrence was archdeacon of the Church of Rome in the third century, entrusted with her treasury and her care for the poor. In the persecution of Valerian, when the prefect demanded the treasures of the Church, Lawrence gathered the poor and the sick and presented them, saying that these were her treasures.

For this he was put to a cruel death by fire in the year 258, enduring, according to tradition, with unbroken and even joyful courage. His martyrdom is honored in both East and West, and he is commemorated on August 10.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Lawrence the Archdeacon is commemorated on August 10. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on August 23 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Lavrentios, Lawrence, Laurence, Lorenz, Lauro

Also commemorated on August 10

• Sixtus of Rome and Hippolytus

  Hierarch, Ξύστος Ρώμης και Ιππόλυτος

  Hieromartyr Sixtus, Pope of Rome, with the Martyr Hippolytus, companions of the Archdeacon Lawrence.

• Heron the Philosopher

  Martyr, Ήρων ο Φιλόσοφος

  Holy Martyr Heron the Philosopher.

• Six Martyrs of Bizye

  Saint, Έξι Μάρτυρες εν Βιζύη

  Holy Six Martyrs who suffered at Bizye in Thrace.

• Agathonike of Carthage

  Holy Woman, Αγαθονίκη η εν Καρχηδόνι

  Holy Virgin Martyr Agathonike, who suffered at Carthage.

• Lawrence of Kaluga

  Venerable, Λαυρέντιος της Καλούγας

  Blessed Lawrence, Fool-for-Christ of Kaluga.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.