England’s First Martyr St. Alban Converts His Executioner

England’s First Martyr St. Alban Converts His Executioner - Printable Version

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England’s First Martyr St. Alban Converts His Executioner - Stone - 06-29-2025

England’s First Martyr St. Alban Converts His Executioner
Adapted from Bede's Ecclesiastical History, (London: George Bell and Sons, 1907)

Hugh O'Reilly, TIA | June 37, 2025

St. Alban was a Roman citizen living in Verulanium in Britain (today, in Hertfordshire, England). He converted to Christianity around 300 A.D. and became the first-recorded British Christian Martyr. St. Bede's Ecclesiastical History gives an account of Alban being beheaded on a hill outside the city, which has been adapted for our readers below.

Now then, this Alban, being yet a pagan at the time when all manner of cruelties was being practiced against the Christians, gave refuge in his house to a certain priest Amphibalus, who was fleeing from his persecutors. Alban observed this cleric to be engaged in continual prayer and watching day and night and became impressed with his faith and teaching.

The priest Amphibalus baptizing & teaching the people

Thus, following the inspirations of divine grace that was shining on him, he began to imitate the example of faith and piety that was set before him. Thus Alban determined to cast off the darkness of idolatry, and he became a Christian in all sincerity of heart.

After Amphibalus had been sheltered some days at that dwelling, it came to the ears of an impious prince that that a confessor of Christ was being concealed at Alban's house. Whereupon he sent some soldiers to make a strict search after him.

When they came to seize the priest, St. Alban himself, wearing the priest’s cloak and habit, came forth to the soldiers and presented himself to the soldiers in place of his guest. He was swiftly bound and led before the judge.

It happened that the judge, at the time when Alban was brought before him, was standing at the altar and offering sacrifice to devils. When the judge heard that Alban had offered himself up in place of the priest, he became enraged that Alban would shelter a person who despised and blasphemed the gods. Thus he ordered that Alban should endure all the punishments that were to be inflicted upon the priest unless he would comply with the pagan rites of their religion.

Crowds of people witnessed the miracles & beheading of St. Alban

But St. Alban was not at all daunted by the judge's threats, but putting on the armor of spiritual warfare, publicly declared that he would not obey his command to sacrifice to idols because, he affirmed: "I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things."

Then the judge, filled with anger, said: “If you would enjoy the happiness of eternal life, do not delay to offer sacrifice to the great gods.”

Alban rejoined: “These sacrifices, which by you are offered to devils, neither can avail the worshippers nor fulfill the desires and petitions of the suppliants. Rather, whosoever shall offer sacrifice to these images shall receive the everlasting pains of Hell for his reward.”

The judge, hearing these words ordered that Alban be scourged by the executioners, believing that he might by stripes shake that constancy of heart, on which he could not prevail by words. But Alban, being most cruelly tortured, bore all with patience and even more, with joyful countenance for Our Lord's sake.

When the judge perceived that he was not to be overcome by tortures to put aside the practice of the Christian Religion, he ordered him to be put to death.

The executioner is converted to see the river dry up on St. Alban’s request

On the way to the site of execution outside the town, he came to a fast flowing river that could not be crossed. There was a bridge but the multitude of persons who had been moved by divine inspiration to come witness the martyrdom of Alban made it impossible for him to pass over it.

St. Alban, therefore, urged by an ardent and devout wish to attain martyrdom sooner, drew near to the waters and lifted up his eyes to Heaven. Whereupon the river immediately dried up, thus making a way for him to pass.

The astonished executioner who was assigned to put him to death observed this, and moved doubtless by divine grace, cast down his sword which he had carried ready drawn. Falling at the feet of St. Alban, he prayed earnestly that he might rather be accounted worthy to suffer with the martyr whom he was ordered to execute or, if possible, in place of him.

The other executioners rightly hesitated to take up the sword lying on the ground. Meanwhile, the Holy Confessor, accompanied by the multitude, ascended a hill, which was adorned with flowers of many colors as a fittingly beautiful place to be consecrated by a martyr’s blood.

Reaching the summit of this hill, St. Alban began to thirst, and prayed that God would give him water. Immediately a spring sprang up at his feet. It was here that the head of the undaunted Martyr was struck off and here that he received the crown of life, which God has promised to them who love Him.

The eyes of the executioner pop out his head

But the second executioner who delivered the fatal stroke was not permitted to rejoice over Alban’s dead body, for his eyes popped out of his head and dropped to the ground at the same moment as the Blessed Martyr's head fell.

Immediately afterward, the first executioner who had refused to strike Alban and prayed to join him was also beheaded. Of whom it is apparent that though he was not purified by the waters of Baptism, yet he was cleansed by the washing of his own blood, and rendered worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Then the judge, astonished at the unwonted sight of so many heavenly miracles, ordered the persecution of the Christians to cease immediately, and began to honor the death of the saints.

The Blessed Alban suffered death on the 22nd day of June outside the city of Verulam, which is now by the English nation called Verulanium.