WORD SEARCH St Alban - the first British martyr Persecution of Christians worldwide is rising fast, so it is worth remembering St Alban, the first British martyr. Alban was a Roman citizen living in England when the Roman emperor, Diocletian, began a fierce persecution. Soon Alban found a desperate priest on his doorstep, hunted by local soldiers. Alban gave the priest shelter, and within days was converted. When the soldiers arrived, Alban took the priest’s place, refused to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was condemned to death. Alban went to his execution on 22nd June 250AD with such serenity that one of the executioners was converted. He died on the site of the Hertfordshire town that now bears his name. Alban Martyr Roman Emperor Priest Soldiers Sacrifice Gods Death Serenity Died Site Town Name Doorstep Execution Persecution Condemned Converted Diocletian 23
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