Alban, First Martyr of Britain

Alban was a pagan citizen of the Roman town of Verulamium in Britain who sheltered a Christian priest fleeing persecution. Moved by his guest's constant prayer and vigil, Alban was instructed in the faith and converted. When soldiers came to search the house, Alban put on the priest's cloak and gave himself up in his place. Brought before the judge and commanded to sacrifice to the idols, he declared himself a Christian and refused, enduring torture with such patience that his executioner's own resolve failed. According to the account preserved by Bede, he was led out to a hilltop and beheaded, and the soldier appointed to kill him confessed Christ and was executed with him. As the first martyr of Britain he has been venerated from early times; the town of St Albans and its great abbey church grew up around his shrine.