Byzantine Saints: Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, and those with him, of Rome (10 August)

About this sermon

Discover the remarkable life and martyrdom of St. Lawrence of Rome, the holy Archdeacon who suffered for Jesus Christ during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Valerian in AD 258. Also remembered in this account are Pope St. Sixtus II, the deacons Felicissimus and Agapitus, the soldier St. Romanus, and the Christians who courageously confessed Christ during one of the Roman Empire’s persecutions. St. Lawrence served as Archdeacon of Rome and was entrusted with the Church’s sacred vessels and treasures. Before his martyrdom, St. Sixtus instructed Lawrence to distribute these possessions among the poor and suffering Christians of Rome. Lawrence obeyed. When Roman authorities later demanded that he reveal the Church’s hidden treasure, Lawrence asked for three days. He then gathered the poor and needy and presented them before the ruler, declaring: “Behold the treasures of the Church.” The enraged authorities imprisoned and tortured him, but Lawrence refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. Even in prison, his witness bore fruit. After Lawrence restored the sight of a prisoner, Hippolytus became convinced of the truth of Christ. Lawrence instructed and baptized Hippolytus and his household. During Lawrence’s torture, a Roman soldier named Romanus witnessed a radiant heavenly figure tending to the martyr’s wounds. Moved by what he saw, Romanus asked Lawrence to baptize him. Romanus boldly confessed: “I am a Christian.” He was beheaded on August 9. The following day, August 10, AD 258, St. Lawrence underwent his final martyrdom. He was scourged and stretched upon a heated iron gridiron over burning coals. Yet the martyr remained faithful to Christ to the end. Before entering eternal life, Lawrence glorified God: “I thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that You have found me worthy to enter Your gates.” St. Lawrence received the unfading crown of martyrdom on August 10, AD 258. ☦️ Holy Martyr Lawrence, pray to God for us! 00:00 Martyr & Archdeacon Lawrence of Rome 00:24 St. Lawrence, St. Sixtus & the Roman Martyrs 00:33 Pope St. Sixtus II and his conversion to Christ 00:49 St. Sixtus becomes Bishop of Rome 00:58 St. Sixtus and his deacons are arrested 01:07 Lawrence visits St. Sixtus in prison 01:14 “Where are you going, Father, without your son?” 01:31 St. Sixtus foretells Lawrence’s martyrdom 01:38 Lawrence receives the Church’s treasures 01:46 The treasures are distributed to the poor 01:55 St. Sixtus is brought to trial 02:10 The martyrs are taken to the Temple of Mars 02:18 St. Sixtus prays & the pagan temple is struck 02:27 Lawrence fulfills his final command 02:36 Martyrdom of St. Sixtus and his deacons 02:44 Authorities seek the Church’s hidden treasures 02:59 “Behold the treasures of the Church” 03:08 St. Lawrence is thrown into prison 03:16 Lawrence miraculously restores a man’s sight 03:23 Hippolytus asks about the true treasure 03:30 Hippolytus and his household embrace Christ 03:38 Lawrence baptizes 19 people 03:45 St. Lawrence is brought before Valerian 03:54 The torture of St. Lawrence begins 04:02 Romanus sees a heavenly figure 04:09 Romanus asks St. Lawrence for baptism 04:18 Romanus boldly confesses Christianity 04:26 Martyrdom of St. Romanus — August 9 04:33 St. Lawrence is placed upon the gridiron 04:42 Lawrence’s famous words to his persecutors 04:49 St. Lawrence gives thanks to Jesus Christ 04:58 Crown of martyrdom — August 10, AD 258 05:06 Hippolytus recovers Lawrence’s holy body 05:13 The relics are brought to a Christian widow 05:21 Christians bury St. Lawrence with honor 05:29 The Divine Liturgy & Holy Mysteries 05:36 Martyrdom of Hippolytus and other Christians 05:43 Relics of St. Lawrence in Rome 05:50 Relics on Mount Athos and in Cyprus https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StLawrence #SaintLawrence #MartyrLawrence #ArchdeaconLawrence #StLawrenceOfRome #OrthodoxSaints #OrthodoxChristianity #SaintOfTheDay #LivesOfTheSaints #ChristianMartyrs #HolyMartyrs #EarlyChurch #ChurchHistory #ChristianHistory #August10

Topics

• Suffering & Trials