The heroic death of Saint Lawrence
This story took
place during 253-259 AD. Valerian was the King of Rome during that time. He was
a monarch and ruled the people with an iron hand. He had a deep hatred towards
Christians and their very sight would arouse his anger. During the year 253 AD,
October 22nd, King Valerian appointed his son Kalian as Caesar. This
was the first thing he did after becoming the king of Rome. King Valerian felt
that it was a great task to rule the entire Roman Empire all by himself and
hence he empowered his son to rule the western regions of Rome and he ruled the
eastern regions. During this time few of
the European kingdoms who were under the rule of the Romans started to fight
for their freedom and this became a great headache for the Roman government.
King Valerian
and his son decided to suppress this agitation with their iron hand and the
Roman senate gave its full support. At this point of time the eastern cities of
Rome namely Damascus and Antioch were captured by the Sasanians and Edessa was
captured by the Persian King Shaphur I. on hearing his news King Valerian went
forward with his great army to Edessa. From 254 AD to 257 AD King Valerian went
around Edessa and captured all the states surrounding it and finally he captured
Antioch. He defeated the Sassaninas and once again established the roman
government in Edessa. But fate had a different trouble for him. During the year
259 AD king Valerian decided to defeat the Kath tribe and conquer the whole
region of Edessa. He had already won the whole region of Asia Minor and hence
decided this new attempt. With this intention in mind he wrote a letter to the
Roman Senate which was considered as not only a letter but a government order.
The letter
stated that: all the citizens of Rome especially the Christians should worship
the Roman kings and their gods only. They should not have and other gods or
worship any other gods. If anyone disobeys this command, they will be
considered as traitors and will be subject to severe punishment and tortures
which would even lead to their death. Also their wealth and possessions will be
taken over by the government. This order was to put into immediate effect. This
order was once again enforced with greater momentum in the next year also.
Hence, these orders lead to the persecution of Christians all over the Roman
Empire. During this time the pain and sufferings and torture of Christians were
beyond words could explain.
In such a tough
situation, our story now moves to a small city called Husia which was located
in Arakon in Northern Spain. This place was ruled by rich people of royal
origin who were decedents of ancient kings.
Our dear saint Lawrence belonged to the city of Husia. He was born in
225 AD. Nothing is known about his birth or family background. But few
information states that he was born in a wealthy family. He was a genius in his
time and had a great desire to study Theology. Hence he came to the city of
Cambosthala. There he met St. Sixtus who was a great man of God and had
enormous knowledge about the word of God. St. Sixtus had a great liking for
Lawrence and hence he asked Lawrence to come and follow him in Rome. Lawrence
accepted his invitation to assist him in Rome and left to Rome with St. Sixtus.
After reaching Rome the dedication and passion which St. Sixtus had towards God
made his the bishop of Rome and soon he was ordained as the Pope of Rome. After
this he was called as Pope St. Sixtus II. Lawrence continued his life as a
Deacon.
It was during
this time the first edict of the emperor of Rome was issued in the year 257 AD.
Pope St. Sixtus II sensed that very soon persecutions will start all over Rome
and hence handed over all the holy materials and churches which were under his
control to Lawrence. He also made Lawrence the head of the seven deacons whom
he had already appointed.
The seven deacons of Pope St. Sixtus II were
Jenuvaris, Vincent, Macnus, Stephen, Felicissimus, Agapitus and Lawrence. The
vine glass which Jesus used during his last supper with his apostles was one of
the holy materials which Pope St. Sixtus handed over to Lawrence. Lawrence
handed over this precious cup to one of his dear friends and asked him to give
it to a person who belonged to the royal family which lived in the city of
Arakon. This person in turn handed over this vine glass to a sage. Likewise
this cup changed many hands and later no one was able to find out the
whereabouts of the same. Finally the search was not in vain. This cup is now kept in a church in Valencia, located in Spain.
Somehow many
Christians, priests and deacons escaped the first edict but they could not
escape the second edict. This second edict clearly stated that all the priests,
bishops, Cardinals, deacons including the pope should be immediately put to
death. The pope and bishops who anticipated this kind of a persecution preached
words of faith to the Christians so that they may withstand the persecution.
For the Bible states, “he who stands till the end…..” they also told the
people, “Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Behold! The devil is indeed
about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and
critically appraised, and fro ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally
faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.”(Revelations 2:10).
These meetings and preaching’s could not be done in public and hence they had
their meetings, preaching’s and regular Holy Mass secretly in caves. In this
manner there were many secret caves in those days. The martyr’s bodies were
also secretly buried in those caves. Since the caves were used for many
purposes like burial, conducting Holy Mass, and also hiding, these caves were
dug for many kilometers with proper ventilation facilities and secret outlets
to move out quickly during time of emergency.
The roman
soldiers somehow came to know about these caves and the activities carried out
there and were secretly investigating about it. On their investigation they
came to know that the following day Pope St. Sixtus II would come there along
with his deacons to conduct Holy Mass. With this information the roman soldiers
waited for the right opportunity. On the following day, the pope came to the
Kalistha cave to offer Holy Mass. During the sermon the roman soldiers came
forward from their hiding place and captured the pope and his seven deacons and
arrested them. At that moment Pope St. Sixtus looked at the people gathered
there and said, “Dear people of God do not fear. All this was determined to
happen and it is as per God’s will. For
all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. And if we are children,
then we are heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ; only we must
share His suffering if we are to share His glory. For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worth being compared with the glory
that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! So
fear not those who can destroy you bodies but fear God who can destroy both
body and soul in hell. So use this time to stand as witness for God. God
almighty will be with you all. Amen”
Along with the
pope all his deacons were also arrested and taken to the governor. The governor
commanded all of them to be put to death. So they were taken to the Kalishta
caves once again. At this time, Lawrence looked at Pope St. Sixtus II and said,
“My Lord, do not leave me…. I am ready to come with you where ever you go even
if it is to Calvary. Have you ever done the ministry of God without me, the
head of your deacons? So why do you leave me alone now and go, take me with
you…… please do answer me and give me a word of comfort…..”
Pope replied,
“Lawrence there is a reason for me to leave you alone here and move on. I am
not leaving you alone here because I do not trust you. It is because I trust
you I have still kept you in charge for all the wealth and treasures of the
church. Continue to do your work. Four days from now you will be with me in
heaven. You will undergo sever torture to receive greater glory in the hands of
God. So you, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Take your
share of the hardships and suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Think
over these things I am saying, for the Lord will grant you full insight and
understanding in everything. The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: if we
have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also
reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, e will also deny and
disown and reject us. If we are faithless, He remains true, for He cannot deny
Himself. I am an old man, but you are young…… I can’t endure the sufferings the
way you can. So I am going now. Take care of my sheep as long as you are on
this earth.”
Then the Pope
St. Sixtus II was made to sit in his chair and was beheaded and killed. All the
other deacons were killed in the similar manner. When the turn of Lawrence came
one of the soldiers said that he was in charge of all the church property.
Hence Lawrence was once again taken for trial. The governor asked, “Lawrence,
are you the treasurer for all the riches of the church? I heard that the pope
St. Sixtus II has left all the church property under your control. Is this
true? Tell me the truth.”
Lawrence
replied, “Yes my Lord…. I have all the church property in my control.”
The governor replied,
“Good Lawrence, I appreciate your truthfulness. Can you give me an estimate of
your church property? Since we incur huge expenses on account of the war taking
place in eastern Rome, I am in need of huge amount of money. As your Lord Jesus
Christ rightly said, give that which belongs to Caesar to Caesar and that which
belongs to God to God. So give me that property.”
Lawrence said,
“My Lord it is true that my master has left me in charge of church property.
But I don’t know anything about it. I am yet to go and take a list of all that
belongs to the church and find out where all they have been kept. Only after
assessing these details of the property I can rightfully become the treasurer.
Since you asked me all of a sudden I am not able to give you a clear picture.
If you could give me three days time, I can submit the entire report of the
church property without fail.”
On hearing this
governor said, “Alright Lawrence I give you three days time. But can you give
me a rough estimation of the church property?”
Lawrence
replied, “Yes my Lord, I can tell that. The total estimate of the church
property is many times higher than the total property value of your King
Valerian.”
The eyes of the
governor opened wide with greed. He said to himself, “Oh my God! I never
expected the property value of the Roman Christians to be so high….. So I will
take half of this property and send the remaining half to Caesar and King
Valerian. Luck is not in my pocket….. ha ha ha ha…. This Lawerance is so true
and he is asking only three day’s time….. Let me give it to him…. Oh my soul be
happy that you will soon be rich and royal.” So Lawrence was handed over under
the guardianship of Hipolinen. Lawrence utilized this opportunity wisely and
sold all the church property and gave them to the poor. On the fourth day
morning there was a huge crowd gathered at the entrance of the house of
Hipolinen. There were men and women, children, blind, deaf, dumb, lame, lepers
and people with all kinds of disease. Hipolinen was shocked to see this crowd
in front of his house. At that time a
blind man by name Cresentine shouted aloud, “Dear brother Lawrence has mercy on
me. I know and believe that you are a messenger of God and have the power of
healing bestowed on you from heaven. Please lay your hands on me and pray that
I might receive my sight.” Lawrence replied, “If you believe in my Lord God and
on me then let it happen to you as you have believed and asked for.” So saying
Lawrence laid his hands on the blind man prayed for him. Immediately the blind
man received his sight. On seeing this miracle the Roman guard Hipolinen
believed in Jesus Christ.
The governor
came with high hopes that he will receive a huge amount of property that day.
He looked at Lawrence and asked him, “Lawrence have you assessed the property
of the church? Where are they….?” Lawrence replied, “My Lord, these people whom
you see here are the true treasures of the church.” The governor who did not
expect this answer roared in anger saying, “Lawrence enough of your useless talks.
Where are the gold and silver utensils? Where are the gold coins? Come on
answer me right now.”
Lawrence gave a
calm reply saying, “Do not get panic or angry my Lord. Truly these people are
the real property of the church. Their souls are more precious to God than mere
gold and silver. The treasures of this world will fade away and will turn to
nothing. But the souls of men will live forever. These precious souls are more
precious than your wealth as well as the wealth of Caesar and your king
Valerian.”
The governor
understood that further talk is of no use. So he decided to put Lawrence to
immense torture. Accordingly Lawrence underwent high level of torment. He was
whipped on bare body and all his skin along with his flesh were torn apart. His
flesh was burnt with red hot iron plates. At this time one of the soldiers who
were there by name Rommel who said, “Sir, I see a young man by your side
holding a linen cloth in his hand. He is wiping your wounds with it and
immediately the wounds are healed. Can you tell me who this young man is? But I
believe that you are truly a man of God. I believe in you and your God. Please
baptize me immediately.”
A little later
the governor came, called the soldiers and told them, “Tonight this man
Lawrence should be put to death. His death should be one of the cruelest one
this world has ever seen. Take a red hot iron cot and place him on it. Ensure
that the cot is not so hot that he will die immediately. Have it in low flame
and roast him throughout the night, torture him and kill him. This will be the
best punishment for betraying the Roman governor. No one else should dare to
play with me here after.”
In the same way
Lawrence was tortured on the red hot iron cot the whole night. In his agony
Lawrence said, “My Lord have mercy on me.” Immediately the Lord replied saying,
“Dear son do not fear. I am with you.” Lawrence alone heard this soothing voice
of the Lord. At that time a huge comet appeared in the sky which looked like a
huge ball of water. This was later named as the tear of Lawrence. When the time
drew near for Lawrence to die he was very happy and said, “let this night last
longer….. You cruel coward Valerian, the fish by name Lawrence is now roasted
well on this side…. Take and turn it on the other side and eat the roasted side
till your thirst for innocent blood is satisfied.” Valerian could not withstand
this insult and wondered how a man who is almost being roasted on fire could
take so boldly. Then Lawrence died after undergoing great agony.
Roomelu who
witnessed this cruel death of Lawrence and the courage with which he spoke
offered his heart to Lord Jesus Christ. Roomelu and Hipolinen accepted Jesus
Christ and died as martyrs. This heroic death of Lawrence induced great faith
among the people of Rome towards Jesus Christ. Idol worship was destroyed in
the city. The person responsible for this cruel death of Lawrence, King
Valerian was rightly punished by God. king Valerian faced the worst insults
which none other Roman king had ever undergone. In the history of Romans, the
only king who suffered terrible insults in the hands of his enemies was
Valerian. The persian king Shaphur I waged a war against Rome and Valerian in
the place called Edessa and won him. He arrested Valerian who lost terribly in
the battle. Thus the entire Roman Empire collapsed. I do not know who was
responsible for this defeat of King Valerian, whether it was nature or God
himself. The actual reason is the Roman soldiers who were engaged in war in
Edessa were infected by a deadly disease and thus many of them died. Thus this
was an added advantage for Shaphur I, who rightly used this opportunity and won
the battle.
King Valerian did not have any other choice other than to surrender
to Shaphur I. but Shaphur I did not treat Valerian with due respect as he had
promised him. He insulted and ill-treated him in many ways.
Wherever the
Persian King Shaphur I would get down from his horse, Valerian was to bow down
as a foot stool for Shaphur I. in this way King Valerian had to undergo such
insults for a long time. His death too was very cruel. The Persian king
promised Valerian that he would give him a royal death sentence. Accordingly
melted gold was poured into King Valerian’s mouth which burnt his mouth up to
his anus. He suffered a lot and died. All this was a result of what he did for
our dear saint Lawrence. A famous proverb states, “Be good to people on your
way up….. for you will have to meet them on your way down” another historical
information states that King Valerian gave a huge amount as a settlement amount
to king Shapur I and the king in turn received the money and then caught hold
of King Valerian and whipped him to death.
The Roman soldiers who received the
body of King Valerian buried him with royal respect. Not only the death of King
Valerian was cruel but that of his son was even worse. Kaliaian the son of King
Valerian also followed his father in persecuting the Christians. The people who
were not able to bear his torture joined together and rose against him. Fearing
the crowd he committed suicide.
But our dear
saint who died on account of the sentence of King Valerian was honored by God.
the Christians considered Saint Lawrence next to Saint Peter and saint James.
Saint Lawrence died on August 10th, 258 AD. King Constantine I have
built a church in the place where Saint Lawrence was killed. This church is
called as Saint Lawrence Basilica.
The iron cot which was used to kill Saint
Lawrence is kept as a relic in this church. Also a church has been built in the
place where Saint Lawrence was buried. Every year on the day on which Saint
Lawrence died, his skull is kept for public view in the museum of Vatican. The
pilgrims who visit Rome should not miss this one of the seven wonders of the
seven church’s namely Saint Lawrence Basilica.
Dear saint
Lawrence please pray for us
