Lawrence (d. 258?) - deacon and martyr. Very little is known about his life. He is one of those whose martyrdom made a deep and lasting impression on the early Church, since the fourth century. The greatest fact of his life is certain – he died for Christ.

He was a Roman Deacon under Pope St. Sixtus II (August 5). Four days after this pope was put to death, Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. Legendary details of his death were known to Damasus, Prudentius, Ambrose and Augustine. The church built over his tomb became one of the seven principal churches in Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrimages.