Oil Dedicated to Martyr St Alban

Description

Martyr St Alban lived in Roman Britain but little is known about his religious affiliations or citizenship. The prince gave orders for Roman soldiers to make a strict search of Alban’s house.

Alban refused and declared “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things”. The enraged judge ordered Alban to be scourged. Thinking that a whipping would shake the constancy of his heart. But Alban bore these torments patiently and joyfully. When the judge realized that the tortures would not shake his faith. He gave orders for Alban to be beheaded.

Stained glass in St Albans Cathedral in England, showing the death of Saint Alban was led to execution, and he presently came to a fast-flowing river that could not be crossed. The astonished executioner cast down his sword and fell at Alban’s feet, moved by divine inspiration and praying that he might either suffer with Alban or be executed for him.

The other executioners hesitated to pick up his sword, and meanwhile, Alban and they went about 500 paces to a gently sloping hill, completely covered with all kinds of wild flowers, and overlooking a beautiful plain (Bede observes that it was a fittingly beautiful place to be enriched and sanctified by a martyr’s blood).