Lawrence was from the city of Osca in Taraconic Spain. He was a disciple of Archdeacon Sixtus, who became the Bishop of Rome in 257, and Lawrence was ordained as a deacon. His role involved overseeing church property and assisting the poor. In 258, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Valerian, priests and bishops were executed, while wealthy Christians were stripped of their property and exiled from the city.

According to legend, when Pope Sixtus was led to his execution, Lawrence asked him where he was going and why he was leaving his disciple. Lawrence pleaded to be allowed to shed his blood for Christ alongside his teacher, to which Sixtus replied that he would not leave him, but Lawrence, young and strong, would suffer greatly three days after his death. Sixtus then blessed Lawrence to distribute the church’s wealth to the poor. After Sixtus’ death, Lawrence was imprisoned, where he healed the sick and converted pagans. The Roman prefect demanded that Lawrence hand over all the church’s treasures. Lawrence requested three days to gather them and, during that time, distributed the church’s wealth to those in need. On the third day, he brought the poor before the prefect, declaring them to be the true wealth of the Church. For this, he was subjected to brutal torture, urged to renounce his faith and worship the gods. When he refused, he was burned alive on a hot gridiron. As he died, he famously told his executioners, “You have roasted one side, turn me over and eat my flesh!” Lawrence died on August 10, 258, at the age of approximately 33.

Iconography In Ukrainian iconography, Lawrence is depicted in deaconal vestments: a sticharion and orarion. He is usually shown with long hair, sometimes with a small beard. The primary attributes of the saint are the gridiron on which he was burned, a palm branch symbolizing his martyrdom, a censer, or a golden tabernacle shaped like a church (Sion). Traditionally, his icons are placed on the doorposts of deacon doors, opposite the archdeacon Stephen. The saints are often depicted in similar ways.

Mykhailo Skop