St. Laurence of Rome holding a gridiron and a book

St. Lawrence of Rome was a Christian martyr and deacon who lived in the 3rd century. He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican Churches. According to tradition, Lawrence was appointed by Pope Sixtus II as one of the seven deacons of Rome, responsible for distributing alms to the poor. When the Roman emperor Valerian began a persecution of the Christians, Pope Sixtus was executed, and Lawrence was ordered to turn over the Church's treasure. Instead, Lawrence gathered the poor and the infirm and presented them to the authorities, saying, "Here is the Church's treasure." He was then subjected to a brutal martyrdom, during which he was roasted alive on a gridiron. Despite his suffering, Lawrence is said to have remained joyful and even to have joked with his executioners. He is remembered for his faith and for his courage in the face of persecution, and his feast day is celebrated on August 10th.