St. Laurentius of Rome was born in Spain and died a martyr’s death in 258. He was one of the seven deacons in the city of Rome, i.e. responsible for the finances and social work of the Church of Rome. According to tradition, when the Roman bishop Sixtus II was arrested and beheaded under the persecutor of Christians, Emperor Valerian (200-260), his deacon Laurentius was distraught that he was not deemed
worthy to share this death. Sixtus comforted him with the promise that he would follow him in three days and commissioned him to distribute the church treasury to the suffering and poor. Emperor Valerian laid claim to these treasures. Laurentius asked for three days to think it over and during this time he distributed the Church’s wealth to the poor.  The enraged Valerian had Laurentius tortured and finally ordered him to be slowly martyred to death over a fire on a grate. Even in this terrible torture, he kept his sense of humour and teased the executioner to turn him over on the fire, because the roast was already cooked on one side. Laurentius is one of the most venerated saints of the Church and was given almost the importance of Peter and Paul.  The church of S. Lorenzo fuori le Mura ( meaning outside the walls) was built over his grave in 330 by Emperor Constantine (285-337) and is one of 5 minor papal basilicas. It is also one of the 7 pilgrim churches in Rome.  

 There are some 30 churches in Rome named after St. His commemoration day is the day of his death 10 August. At this time in the annual vegetation cycle, the phase of grape ripening begins. The winegrowers offer their first grapes to him on this day. The St. Laurent variety is also named after him. Shooting stars on August nights are called “Laurentius tears”.