Saint Lawrence was grilled alive by the Romans...or was he?

Many guides during tours of the Roman Forum will mention the sad story of Saint Lawrence who was grilled alive on the steps of the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina. An altar-shaped brick structure on the steps is the supposed place of the saint's martyrdom on August 10 of the year 258 under the rule of the Emperor Valerian.

Part of the grill used during the public execution is now inside the Church of Saint Lawrence in Lucina on the side of Via del Corso, Rome's busy shopping street. The first chapel on the right side when you enter this beautiful church is dedicated to Saint Lawrence. The centre of the chapel is dominated by the Italian painter Sigismondo Rosa's painting of Saint Lucina presenting the plan of the church to Saint Lawrence. This painting dates back to 1716.

Who was Saint Lawrence? He was one of seven deacons of the Christian church appointed by Pope Sixtus II. Amongst his responsibilities was the handling of the church's finances. Following the arrest and execution of the Pope, Lawrence gave as much money and riches to the poor as he possibly could. When summoned by the city prefect to hand over the assumed wealth of the Church, Lawrence indicated the poor and crippled on the streets. These were the riches of the Church, he claimed, thus signing his death warrant. 

Condemned to die attached to a gridiron placed over hot coals, the story goes that Saint Lawrence prayed to God that Rome be converted to Christianity and reputedly uttered the words: "This side is done, you can turn me over". 

However, did Saint Lawrence really die the way everyone says he did? In recent times there has been growing debate about the accuracy of the story of the martyrdom. There is a suggestion that historical records may carry an error in transcription. The confusion could arise all because of one letter being left out:

Passus Est (he suffered/he was martyred)

Assus Est (he was roasted).

It is thought that the real cause of death was beheading and that the execution took place on the site now marked by the Church of Saint Lawrence in Panisperna.

Either way, Saint Lawrence is well remembered in Rome with several churches in his name. Even Michelangelo included the figure of Saint Lawrence with the gridiron in his famous fresco "The Last Judgment" inside the Sistine Chapel. The way that this popular saint died is not important but rather his contribution to the religious situation in Rome. He is also remembered today as the patron saint of the poor and of.....cooks!

Written by: Robert Coghlan
Photo by: Robert Coghlan