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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Laurence/Laurentius, deacon and martyr of Rome

Saint ID

S00037

Number in BH

BHL 4752-4789
BHG 977-978

Reported Death Not Before

258

Reported Death Not After

258

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Martyrs, Lesser clergy
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00048Gregory of Tours, in his Life of *Gallus (bishop of Clermont, ob. 551, S00034), recounts how *Gallus (bishop of Clermont, ob. 551, S00034) died in an aura of sanctity and was buried in the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Clermont (central Gaul). During his funeral and at his grave miracles occurred, and grass from turf which had covered his body healed the sick. From Gregory's Life of the Fathers (6.7), written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 573/594.
E00362The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), lists the martyrdoms and burials of the following saints (here as recorded in the second edition): Xystus himself, and his six deacons, *Felicissimus, Agapitus, Ianuarius, Magnus, Vincentius and Stephanus, (all S00202) on 6 August; his archdeacon *Laurence (S00037), with four lesser martyrs (S00213) on 10 August; Xystus is recorded as buried in the cemetery of Callixtus, on the via Appia, the six deacons in the cemetery of Praetextatus, also on the via Appia, and Laurence in a crypt in the ager Veranus on the via Tiburtina, all outside Rome.
E00367Gregory of Tours writes the Glory of the Martyrs (Liber in Gloria Martyrum), in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594. Overview entry.
E00404The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, recounts the founding and endowment of the basilica of St *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) on the via Tiburtina outside Rome by the emperor Constantine (312-337).
E00540Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (41), quoting verses by Venantius Fortunatus, tells of a church and relics of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Brioni (Italy) where a wooden beam miraculously extended itself, and splinters from it had healing power; parts of it were saved from fire and transferred to Limoges (western Gaul) to *Aredius (monastic founder in the Limousin, ob. 591, S00302). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
E00543Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (45), tells of a broken chalice miraculously repaired by the intervention of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in his church in Milan (northern Italy); the chalice was then hung over the altar and a new annual feast instituted for the saint. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
E00615Letter of 519, from papal legates in Constantinople to Pope Hormisdas in Rome (Collectio Avellana 218), reporting that Justinian (the future emperor; nephew of the emperor Justin I) sought relics of the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008), and of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) for his basilica of Peter and Paul in Constantinople. Having been told this request was against the custom of Rome, he requests contact relics (sanctuaria) of Peter and Paul, and pieces from their chains and from the grate on which Laurence was martyred. Written in Latin.
E00626Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (82), tells of a miracle through relics obtained in Rome by his deacon: the ship carrying the deacon to Marseille was saved from shipwreck when he lifted up the relics and invoked their saints by name; Gregory lists the relics as of unnamed *Apostles (S00084), *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), *Chrysanthus and Daria (chaste couple and martyrs of Rome, S00306), and *Iohannes and Paulus (brothers and eunuchs, martyrs of Rome under the emperor Julian, S00384). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
E00679The Notitia ecclesiarum urbis Romae, a guide to saints' graves around Rome, lists those on the via Tiburtina, east of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 625/649.
E00690The Notitia ecclesiarum urbis Romae, a guide to saints' graves around Rome, closes with the church and grave of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) on the 'via Vaticana', north-west of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 625/649. A description of the basilica, added in the later 8th c., lists many of the altars of saints within the church.
E00782Prudentius writes Crowns of the Martyrs II, a poem on the martyrdom of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) presenting him as a saint who led Rome to victory over the pagan gods. Written in Latin at Calahorra (northern Hispania), c. 400. Overview of Peristephanon II.
E00783Prudentius, in his poem (Crowns of the Martyrs II) on *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), tells how *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), in his last words predicted the approaching martyrdom of Laurence, his deacon. Written in Latin in Calahorra (northern Hispania), c. 400.
E01052The Depositio Martirum, a list of burials of martyrs (primarily of Rome), gives both the day of the year and the place of their burial; from the so-called Chronography of 354, compiled in Latin in Rome, c. 354.
E01273The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Damasus (bishop of Rome, ob. 384, S00535), lists his construction of a basilica of *Laurence (martyr in Rome, S00037) inside the city of Rome; the dedication of a marble tablet at the Catacumbas cemetery on the via Appia, commemorating the former resting place of the bodies of the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008); the discovery and honouring in verse of many martyrs; and his burial, with his mother and sister, in his own basilica on the via Ardeatina, on 11 December [AD 384].
E01277The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Zosimus (bishop of Rome, ob. 418, S00764), states that he was buried on the via Tiburtina outside Rome, close to the body of *Laurence, (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), on 26 December [AD 418].
E01294The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Xystus/Sixtus III (bishop of Rome, ob. 440, S00764), tells of the burial of a certain Bassus close to the body of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) at the Vatican, and of that of Xystus himself on the via Tiburtina outside Rome, close to the body of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) [AD 440].
E01295The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Xystus III (bishop of Rome, ob. 440, S00764) describes the construction and decoration of several churches in Rome during his episcopate (432-440): the basilica of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), present-day Santa Maria Maggiore, the confessiones of the Apostles *Peter (S00036) and *Paul (S00008), and a basilica and confessio of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037).
E01306The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Hilarus (bishop of Rome, ob. 468, S00566), tells how he issued a decree at the basilica of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) inside Rome, and of his burial in a crypt outside the city, near *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and close to the body of *Xystus III (bishop of Rome, S00601) [AD 468].
E01307The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Hilarus (bishop of Rome, ob. 468, S00566) names his refurbishments in, and offerings to, several churches and oratories in Rome: dedicated to *John (Apostle and Evangelist, S00042), *John the Baptist (S00020), the Apostles *Peter (S00036) and *Paul (S00008), *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030).
E01313The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Simplicius (bishop of Rome, ob. 483, S00729) tells how he dedicated churches in and around Rome to *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288), and *Bibiana (martyr of Rome under the emperor Julian, S00728); made arrangements concerning clergy in the churches of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), and *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037); and made gifts to St Peter's basilica; it closes with a record of his burial in St Peter's basilica on 2 March [AD 483].
E01320The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of Anastasius II (bishop of Rome, 496-498) records his making of the confessio of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) at his church outside Rome, and his burial in the basilica of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), on 19 November [AD 498].
E01350The second edition of the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome between the 530s and 546, in its account of *Symmachus (bishop and confessor of Rome, ob. 514, S00793), lists his building works at, and donations to, the churches of various saints in Rome and its region during his episcopate (498-514).
E01357The second edition of the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome between the 530s and 546, in its account of *John I (bishop of Rome, ob. 526, S00308), lists his renovation works in the cemeteries of *Nereus and Achilles (eunuchs and martyrs of Rome, S00403), of *Felix and Adauctus (martyrs of Rome, S00421), and of Priscilla, all in the suburbs of Rome; his adornment of the confessio of *Paul (the Apostle, S00008); as well as offerings made by the emperor Justin I to the churches in Rome of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), of *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), and of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037).
E01401The short Life of Pelagius II, bishop of Rome 579-590, in the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome, probably in the late 6th/early 7th c., mentions his embellishment of the tomb of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), his construction of the cemetery of *Hermes (martyr of Rome, S00404) on the via Salaria vetus, and his building of the basilica of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) on the via Tiburtina, as well as Pelagius' burial at St Peter's; all in and around Rome.
E01698The short Life of *Benedict II (bishop of Rome, ob. 685, S00887) in the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome soon after his death, names his refurbishments at, and offerings to, churches of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), *Valentinus (priest and martyr of Rome, S00443), and *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), in and around Rome; names the feast of Valentinus; and mentions Benedict's burial at the church of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) on 8 May.
E01892Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and mentions the feast of *Sixtus/Xystus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), celebrated five days earlier, emphasising the sufferings of the martyrs. Homily on the Gospel of John 27, delivered in Latin, possibly in Hippo Regius (Numidia, central North Africa), 413/420.
E01997The Life of *Melania the Younger (aristocratic ascetic in Jerusalem, ob. 439, S01134), by Gerontius, a monk at her monastery, recounts how she kept vigils for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and then visited his martyrion, in c. 405. Written in Greek or Latin, probably in Jerusalem, c. 450.
E02027Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (2.20), recounts church-building works in around 480 by the dux Victorius, all in Clermont and its territory (central Gaul): a church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) and *Germanus (bishop of Auxerre, ob. c. 448, S00455) in the village of Saint-Germain-Lembron; new columns for the church of *Julian (martyr of Brioude, S00035) at Brioude. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.
E02179Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (6.6), describes miracles effected by *Hospicius (ascetic and recluse near Nice, ob. 581, S01178). In c. 574, he foretells the coming of Lombard invaders to Nice (southern Gaul), warns its residents, then faces down the soldiers. He cures several people: a deaf and dumb man from Angers (in north-west Gaul), who was travelling to Rome to seek a cure from the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008) and from *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) and the other martyrs of the city; a blind man called Dominicus; two women possessed by demons. Hospicius predicts his own death. Gregory has heard that Hospicius' Life had been written by many authors. The man from Angers, whom Gregory met and talked with, was travelling to Rome with a deacon who planned to collect relics of the Apostles and other saints. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 581/594.
E02182Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (6.25), describing a flood in 583, mentions the church in Paris of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 583/594.
E02199Calendar of the Church of Carthage (central North Africa) lists saints whose liturgical commemorations were celebrated in August. Written in Latin in Carthage, probably between 505 and 535.
E02349Ennodius of Pavia writes the Life of *Epiphanius (bishop of Pavia, ob. 496, S01209). It describes the life of Epiphanius, from infancy to his accession to the bishopric of Ticinum/Pavia, his death in the same city, and burial; it particularly emphasises his impeccable way of life, his constant care for the people of his city, and his leading role in political embassies. In one passage, a barbarian king compares Epiphanius to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Written in Latin, probably in Pavia between 501 and 504.
E02391Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (10.31), recounts that Perpetuus, the sixth bishop of Tours (bishop 460-490), pulled down the old church over the tomb of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) in Tours and built a new one, to which he translated Martin's body. He also built the church of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) in Tours and the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) at Montlouis-sur-Loire (near Tours). He bequeathed a sum of money to the church of Martin in Tours, where he was buried. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 591/594.
E02486The Latin Martyrdom of *Calocerus, Parthenius, *Victoria, Anatolia and Audax (martyrs of Rome and of Picenum, S00679 and S01406), probably originally a single text though later fragmented in the manuscripts, narrates the trial and death in Rome of Calocerus and Parthenius, and their burial next to the tomb of *Sixtus (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201); the vow in Rome of Victoria and Anatolia to keep their virginity; their enforced and separate travel to different cities of Picenum (central Italy), where both effect miracles and conversions, including that of Audax who is then martyred; their death and burial in the same region. Written presumably in Picenum, at an uncertain date, probably before the late 7th c.
E02504The Latin Martyrdom of *Polychronius, Sixtus/Xystus, Laurence, Hippolytus and Others narrates the martyrdom and burial, with references to feast days and burial places, of a number of Persian and Roman saints, notably incorporating an augmented and rewritten version of the Martyrdom of Sixtus, Laurence and Hippolytus (E02513). Written presumably in Rome, possibly in the early 6th c., certainly before the early 8th c.
E02513The Latin Martyrdom of *Sixtus/Xystus, *Laurentius and *Hippolytus (martyrs of Rome, respectively S00037, S00201, S00509) narrates their miracles, martyrdom and burial in Rome. An augmented and rewritten version of it is incorporated in the Martyrdom of Polychronius, Sixtus/Xystus, Laurence, Hippolytus and others (E02504). Written presumably in Rome, perhaps in the 5th c.
E02520The Latin Martyrdom of *Gallicanus, Iohannes and Paulus (martyrs of Rome under Julian, S01244 and S00384) is divided into two parts, it first narrates the conversion of the general Gallicanus and his daughters Attica and Artemia, thanks respectively to the eunuchs Iohannes and Paulus and the emperor Constantine’s daughter, Constantia, who was healed from leprosy thanks to her devotion to *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097); Gallicanus’ devotion to *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), his donations to the poor and to the Church, and building of two churches, one dedicated to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Ostia, where he lives with *Hilarinus (martyr of Ostia, S01518); Gallicanus’ exile in Egypt under Julian and his martyrdom there; the martyrdom and burial of Hilarinus in Ostia. The second part narrates the martyrdom of the eunuch brothers *Iohannes and Paulus (S00384) and their burial in their own house, at the hands of Terentianus and his son, who later convert to Christianity and reveal the story of the saints’ martyrdom. An alternative version, written in the 6th c., adds the martyrdoms of *Crispus, Crispinianus and Benedicta (martyrs of Rome, S01526 and S01516), and of *Terentianus and his son (martyrs of Rome, S01517), all buried by the priests Iohannes and Pimenius in Iohannes and Paulus’ house; it ends with the building of a church in the saints’ house by the senator Vizantius and his son Pammachius. Written presumably in Rome, in the 5th or 6th c.
E02596Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon on the feast of the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008), addressing the question of why the memorial shrines (memoriae) of these apostles, of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and of other martyrs did not save Rome from being captured by its enemies in 410. Sermon 296, delivered in Latin, probably in Carthage (central North Africa) in 411.
E02718Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), citing his story and referring to benefits which people who pray, most probably at the martyr's shrine, obtain. Sermon 302, delivered in Latin, possibly in Hippo Regius (Numidia, central North Africa) in 400.
E02724Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), citing the story of his martyrdom and referring to his vivid cult and favours, most probably miracles, which are obtained through him at Rome, and complaining about the small size of the local congregation attending the feast. Sermon 303, delivered in Latin, possibly in Milevis (Numidia, central North Africa) in the late 420s.
E02737Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), emphasising his fame in the city of Rome. Sermon 304, delivered in Latin at an unknown city of central North Africa, possibly in 417.
E02738Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Sermon 305, delivered in Latin in Carthage (central North Africa), at the shrine of *Cyprian (bishop and martyr of Carthage, S00411), possibly in 413.
E02740Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), briefly retelling his story, emphasising his fame in the city of Rome and other places, and admonishing his audience against indecent ways of celebrating feats. Sermon 305A, delivered in Latin in Carthage (central North Africa), possibly around 401.
E02744The Latin decrees of a synod, held in 499 in St Peter's basilica, Rome, by Pope Symmachus (498-514), are subscribed to by a number of presbyters of the city's titular churches, each identified by the name of his titulus, a few of which are dedicated to saints; preserved as Symmachus Letter 1.
E02981A Latin sermon, wrongly attributed to Peter Chrysologus (Sermon 135), is preached for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), with references to the story of his martyrdom, in which he is associated with *Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Delivered perhaps in North Africa, in the 5th c. or later.
E03258The Lives of the Fathers of Mérida (2), tells how an unnamed monk of the monastery of Cauliana near Mérida (south-west Spain), who was a drunkard and glutton, reforms; dying soon afterwards, he is confident he will be greeted in heaven by the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008), and by *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037); fifteen years later his tomb is found, it smells sweetly and the body inside is uncorrupted. Written in Latin in Mérida, 633/660.
E03402The early seventh-century Georgian version of the Lectionary of Jerusalem commemorates on 18 October in the church or chapel of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), *Thyrsos (martyr of Bithynia, S00612), *Theoktistos (martyr near Nikomedia, S00866) and *Hippolytus (martyr of Antioch, S00959).
E03509The Lives of the Fathers of Mérida (4.10), tells the story of a woman, a debtor of Bishop Fidelis (c. 560-570). Fidelis, seriously ill, lies in the basilica of *Eulalia (virgin and martyr of Mérida, S00407) and remits debts, returning pledges; the woman, however, is unable to receive her remission because of the great crowd; at home, she has a vision of the martyrs *Cyprian (bishop and martyr of Carthage, S00411) and *Laurence, (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) who say that she failed because she never visited their basilicas. Written in Latin in Mérida (south-west Spain), 633/660.
E03598Marcellinus Comes, in his Chronicle, records that Pulcheria, wife of the emperor Marcian, completed the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Constantinople just before her death in 453.Written in Latin in Constantinople, 518/534.
E03601Marcellinus Comes, in his Chronicle, reports that relics of *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030) were brought to Constantinople from Jerusalem by the empress Eudocia and placed in the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in 439. Written in Latin in Constantinople, 518/534.
E03660Augustine of Hippo tells how a man's own account of his miraculous healing at the relics of *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030) in Hippo Regius (Numidia, central North Africa) is read out there during the mass on Easter Tuesday. The account presents a story of siblings seeking healing in various holy places, including shrines of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Ravenna (northern Italy), and of Stephen in Ancona (central Italy) and Uzalis (North Africa). The account is preserved as Augustine's Sermon 322, delivered in Latin in Hippo, 424/427.
E03828The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 10 August *Elianos (martyr of Amman, S00889),*Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S01229), and *Phokas (martyr of Sinope, S00052) or *Phokas (martyr of Antioch, S00413).
E04387Procopius of Caesarea, in his On Buildings, reports that the emperor Justinian (r. 527-565) rebuilt the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) and established a shrine of *Priskos and Nikolaos (martyrs venerated at Blachernae, S00391) near the church of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) at Blachernae (suburb of Constantinople). Written in Greek at Constantinople, in the 550s.
E04430Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (1.4), describes a castration vision experienced by *Equitius (abbot in the province of Valeria, later 6th c., S01710), which cured him of lust, and two posthumous miracles which took place at his tomb in a church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037); all in Valeria, central Italy. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04506Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (3.37), describes some miracles of *Sanctulus (priest of Nursia, 6th c., S01767). One of these stories refers to the destruction and restoration of a church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), presumably in the region of Nursia (central Italy), and another to a miraculous intervention by *John the Baptist (S00020). Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04592Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (4.32), mentions the church dedicated to *Laurentius/Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Rome, founded by Damasus (bishop of Rome, ob. 384). Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04595Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (4.54-56), describes how the bodies of sinners buried in churches dedicated to *Faustinus (martyr of Brescia, S01845) in Brescia (northern Italy), *Syrus (bishop and martyr of Genoa, S01846) in Genoa (northern Italy), and *Ianuarius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00204) in Rome, are miraculously ejected from the churches. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04913The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 10 August.
E04914The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 9 August.
E05006The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 2 November.
E05147Ambrose of Milan, in his On the Death of Satyrus, refers to vows made by his late brother to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) during an illness. Written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy), c. 378
E05206Ambrose of Milan, in a letter to Simplicianus (Letter 7), suggests that martyrdom leads to true freedom, using the examples of *Thekla (follower of the Apostle Paul, S00092), *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097), *Pelagia (virgin and martyr of Antioch, S01093), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) and the *Maccabean martyrs (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303). Written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy), c. 387.
E05216Hymn (Apostolorum supparem), almost certainly by Ambrose of Milan, recounts the martyrdom of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and mentions *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy), sometime after 386.
E05285Ambrose of Milan, in his De Officiis, a tract on the virtues expected of the clergy, praises the virtues of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), the *Maccabean martyrs (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303), the Holy *Innocents (children killed at the order of Herod, S00268) and *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097). Written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy), in the later 380s.
E05292Mosaic on the triumphal arch of the church of S. Lorenzo fuori le mura on the via Tiburtina, Rome, with Christ flanked by the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008), who are in turn flanked by *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), presenting to Christ Pope Pelagius II holding a model of the basilica, and *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030) presenting *Hippolytus (martyr of Rome, S00509). 579/590.
E05294Latin epitaph recording the construction of a tomb in a 'basilica maior near the lord Laurentius (ad dominum Laurentium)' (*Laurence/Laurentius, deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Found in the cemetery of Cyriaca ad Sanctum Laurentium, via Tiburtina, Rome. Probably first half of the 5th c.
E05296Fragmentary Latin epitaph with a poem for an archdeacon and psalmist, recording his burial in a church dedicated to *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in the ager Veranus, on the via Tiburtina, Rome, presenting considerations about the actual uselessness of burials ad sanctos compared with the true merits of the pious life, and probably naming Laurence as a martyr and priest. Probably 5th c.
E05297Latin epitaph for a person buried near a saint whose name is lost, probably *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Found in the cemetery of Cyriaca, via Tiburtina, Rome. Probably late 4th or early 5th c.
E05309Very fragmentary Latin inscription, possibly invoking *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and mentioning a bishop. Found in the ager Veranus, via Tiburtina, Rome. Probably from the cemetery of Cyriaca. Probably 4th c.
E05318Maximus of Turin preaches a sermon (Sermon 4) for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Delivered in Latin in Turin (northern Italy), between c. 390 and 408/423.
E05319Maximus of Turin, in two sermons (Sermons 24 and 25), praises *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) and compares his faith to a mustard seed. Delivered in Latin in Turin (northern Italy), between c. 390 and 408/423.
E05331Latin epitaph with a poem mentioning *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Found in the ager Veranus, via Tiburtina, Rome. Probably 4th c.
E05360Latin inscription, now lost, with a poem ascribed to Alcuin of York, describing a picture of the martyrdom of *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) and *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), probably displayed in the Pelagian basilica of Laurence on the ager Veranus, via Tiburtina, Rome. 8th c.
E05463A council held in Constantinople in 448, deposing the heresiarch Eutyches, is signed by the abbots of several monasteries and shrines; the text is included in the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon of 451. Written in Greek at Constantinople.
E05492Leo the Great composes a Latin sermon (Sermon 85) in Rome in 446/461 in honour of the feast day of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037).
E05555Venantius Fortunatus writes eleven books of Poems in Latin, mainly in western and north-western Gaul, 565/600; many of them with reference to saints. Overview entry.
E05563Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem (1.2) on the church of *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288) built by Bishop 'Vitalis' of Ravenna, lists the relics housed there. Written in Latin in Ravenna (northern Italy), 545/565.
E05601Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 9 August at Rome of *Romanus (martyr of Rome, S00213), whom *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) baptized. Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05602Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 10 August of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05607Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 26 August at Rome of the martyrs *Herennius and Habundius, who had moved the body of the martyr *Concordia (all S00213), and were themselves buried next to *Laurence (S00037). Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05729John Malalas, in his Chronographia, mentions the shrine and monastery of *Konon (perhaps the martyr of Isauria, S00430) in Peran (suburb of Constantinople across the Golden Horn), near which lay a site of executions, associated with events of 488, 528, and 532. In the context of an incident in 531, a shrine of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), probably Pulcheria's foundation near Blachernae, is named as a place of sanctuary. Written in Greek at Antioch (Syria) or Constantinople, in the mid 6th c.
E05755Venantius Fortunatus writes a poem (9.14) recounting how a beam for the roof of a church of *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, 0037) was miraculously lengthened, and how people were cured by wood cut from this beam. Written in Latin in Gaul, 576/c. 591.
E05783Agnellus of Ravenna, writing in 830/846 in his Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiae Ravennatis (34), recounts the foundation of a church dedicated to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Caesarea (near Ravenna, northern Italy) by Lauricius, maior cubiculi of the emperor Honorius, probably in the early 5th c. Written in Latin at Ravenna.
E05858The Calendar of Willibrord, in its earliest version, records the feasts of various saints in August. Written in Latin at Echternach, Frisia (north-east Gaul), 703/710.
E05957Prudentius, in his poem (Crowns of the Martyrs II) about *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), tells of the gradual waning of pagan cults in Rome after the death of Laurence and of the rise of Christian practices – visiting churches, especially that of Laurence, prayer and singing of hymns, veneration of relics. Written in Latin in Calahorra (northern Spain), c. 400.
E05958Prudentius, in his poem (Crowns of the Martyrs II) about *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), explains that, though the inhabitants of Spain are far from Rome and thus lack the blessings of many martyrial tombs, they can still look up to heaven and seek the intercession of its citizen, Laurence; he finishes the poem with a personal prayer to Laurence, seeking his intercession. Written in Latin in Calahorra (northern Spain), c. 400.
E06027Mosaics in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna (northern Italy) depicting the Apostles and an unlabelled figure, probably either *Vincent (deacon and martyr of Zaragoza and Valencia, S00290) or *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S01229); created 425/450.
E06042Pope Vitalianus, in a letter to Oswiu, king of the Northumbrians (northern Britain), states that he is sending him and his wife relics of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Paul (the Apostle, S00088), *Iohannes and Paulus (martyrs of Rome, S00384), *Gregory ('the Great,' bishop of Rome, ob. 604, S00838), and *Pancratius (martyr of Rome, S00307). Written in Latin at Rome, 666/8; recorded by Bede, writing at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 731.
E06046Mosaics in the nave of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna (northern Italy) depicting twenty-two female saints, preceded by the three Magi, processing towards the Virgin and Child, and twenty-six male saints, probably originally preceded by *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), processing towards Christ; created under Bishop Agnellus, 557/570.
E06107Hymn in honour of *Hippolytus (martyr of Rome, S00509) composed in Latin in Spain possibly by Eugenius II, bishop of Toledo (647-657).
E06245Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem on virginity (8.3), when describing the court of heaven lists numerous saints with the cities of their resting-place. Written in Latin in Gaul, probably in the early 570s.
E06318Fragmentary Greek inscription, from Sikyon (near Corinth), with a calendar of saints' feast days, such as that of *Afra (martyr of Augsburg, S01797), *Apphianos (martyr of Caesarea of Palestine, S00159), *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288), *Antipas (presumably the bishop and martyr of Pergamon, S01816), *Antoninus (martyr of Alexandria, S00327), *Christophoros (martyr of Pamphylia, S00616), *Demetrios and four companions (unspecified, S02464), *Epimachus (martyr of Rome, S00295), *Glykeria (martyr of Perinthus-Heraclea in Thrace, S00018), *Gordiοs (presumably the soldier and martyr of Caesarea of Cappadocia, S00114), *Kodratos and his companions (Anectus, Paulus, Dionysius, Cyprianus and Crescens, martyrs of Corinth, S02368), *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), *Pionios (presbyter and martyr of Smyrna, $S00031), *Theodosia from Tyre (martyr of Palestine, $S00161), *Victor or Victorinus (martyr of Corinth, $S01927) and other saints or martyrs whose names are lost. Found at Sikyon near Corinth (north-eastern Peloponnese). Probably 5th c.
E06343Gregory the Great with a papal letter (Register 3.33) of 593, to Dynamius, patrician of Gaul, sends a small cross containing fragments of the chains of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) and of the gridiron of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037); worn round the neck, this cross will free him from sin and lead him to the Lord. Written in Latin in Rome.
E06362The decrees of a synod held by Pope Gregory the Great in 595 in St Peter’s basilica, Rome, are subscribed by presbyters from many of the city's titular churches, all dedicated to saints (Register 5.57a). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06364Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 6.12) of 595 frees two slaves and mentions a monastery dedicated to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), in an unnamed location (presumably in Rome, southern Italy, or Sicily). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06366Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 6.22) of 596, to Petrus, bishop of Aleria in Corsica, orders the foundation of a church and baptistry in honour of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) and *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Negeunus (Corsica), and the deposition of contact relics (sanctuaria) therein. Written in Latin in Rome.
E06370Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 6.50) of 596, to Palladius, bishop of Saintes (western Gaul), discusses a church in Saintes to the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036; S00008), and the Roman martyrs *Laurence and *Pancratius (S00037; S00307), and mentions the despatch of relics of these four saints for altars in the church. Written in Latin in Rome.
E06411Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 9.233) of 599, to Decius, bishop of Lilybaeum, asks him to consecrate a female monastery dedicated to *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S01229), *Hermes (martyr of Rome, buried on the via Salaria vetus, S00404), *Pancratius (martyr of Rome, S00307), *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400), and *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097), inside the city of Lilybaeum (Sicily). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06439Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 14.6) of 603, to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna, asks him to investigate a dispute within a monastery dedicated to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S01229) and *Zeno (bishop of Verona, ob. 371, S01558) in the fortress of Cesena (northern Italy). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06446Gregory the Great, in a general admonition (Register, Appendix 4), encourages participation in the annual 'greater litany' (laetania maior), with a supplicatory procession from the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S01229) 'of Lucina', to that of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) [at the Vatican]; all in Rome, 590/604. Written in Latin in Rome.
E06462The Latin first Martyrdom of *Leudegar (bishop and martyr of Autun, ob. 677/9, S02098) records the saint's life, martyrdom, miracles, and early cult. Written at Autun (central Gaul), 680/84.
E06492The Latin Life of *Rusticula, also known as Marcia (abbess of Arles, ob. 627/632, S02433), is written by the presbyter Florentius; it recounts her pious childhood, her many years as abbess of the monastery of saint John at Arles (southern Gaul), her political travails, and several lifetime and posthumous miracles. Written in southern Gaul, c. 627/640. Overview entry.
E06502The Latin Life of *Wandregisel (founder and abbot of Fontenelle, ob. 668, S02446) recounts the abbot's life, miracles and death; it survives in a near-contemporary manuscript. Written probably at Fontenelle (northern Gaul), 668/c.700
E06588The Latin Gelasian Sacramentary (or Liber Sacramentorum Romanae Ecclesiae), probably compiled around 750 near Paris using earlier material from Rome, records prayers to saints on their feast days in August.
E06788Latin papyrus preserved in Monza (northern Italy) listing the 'oils of the holy martyrs who in body rest in Rome' brought from Rome for Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards, naming many Roman saints. Written at Monza or Rome, 590/604; preserved in its original copy.
E06887List of subscriptions documenting foundations dedicated to saints in Constantinople, Syria, and Palestine, preserved in a petition to Pope Agapitus I from eastern monks. Written in Greek in Constantinople in 536.
E06933The Book of the Angel outlines the privileges of the church at Armagh (north-east Ireland) associated with *Patrick (missionary and bishop of Ireland, 5th c., S01962), based in part on the honour due to (its relics of) *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), and *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), as well as a relic of the blood of Christ. An addendum delineates the relationship between the churches in Ireland of Patrick and those of *Brigit (abbess of Kildare, ob. c. 525, S01885). Written in Latin at Armagh, perhaps as early as c. 640/60.
E06996The De Locis Sanctis, a guide to the graves of the martyrs around Rome, lists those on the via Tiburtina, east of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.
E07001The De Locis Sanctis, a guide to the martyrs' burials around Rome, is followed by an Appendix listing 21 churches dedicated to saints within the Aurelianic walls of Rome. Written in Latin in Rome, certainly after 625 and before 790, possibly in 642/683.
E07186Poem by Pope Damasus, composed for the tomb of *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in the Cemetery of the Ager Veranus (S. Lorenzo), via Tiburtina, Rome. Written in Latin at Rome, 366-384.
E07210Verses by Pope Damasus, commemorating the construction of the basilica in Rome dedicated to *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), later known as S. Lorenzo in Damaso. Written in Latin in Rome, 366-384.
E07630Latin building inscription commemorating dedication of the chapel of *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) by the emperor Valentinian III. Found at Ravenna. [provisional entry]
E07697The Frankish king Childebert II, writing to bishop Laurentius of Milan (Austrasian Letter 46), compares him to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Written in Latin in northern or eastern Gaul, 585/589.
E07727Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (1.30), mentions a number of martyrdoms which took place during the reign of the emperor Decius (249-251), naming *Babylas (bishop and martyr of Antioch, S00061) and his companions the *Three Children (S00319), *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and *Hippolytus (martyr of Rome, S00509). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.
E07768Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (6.9), describes how Domnolus, later bishop of Le Mans, when he was abbot of the monastery attached to the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) at Paris, sought a favour from King Chlothar I in the church of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) at Tours, 558/559. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 584/594.
E08131The Greek Life of *Matrona (abbess in Constantinople, 5th c., S01829) recounts the story of an aristocratic woman who entered the ascetic way of life disguised as a eunuch at the male monastery of *Bassianos (5th c. abbot in Constantinople, S02890), and later founded her own nunnery in the same city. Written in Constantinople in the late 6th century.
E08222The Gothic Missal compiles liturgical texts for the celebration of saints' feasts throughout the year. Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710. Overview entry.
E08242The Gothic Missal includes prayers for the celebration of mass on the feast day of *Sixtus/Xystus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710.
E08243The Gothic Missal includes prayers for the celebration of mass on the feast day of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710.
E08244The Gothic Missal includes prayers for the celebration of mass on the feast day of *Hippolytus (martyr of Rome, S00509). Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710.
E08311Latin inscription recording the deposition in 474 of relics of *Laurentius/Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), *Hippolytus (martyr of Rome, S00509), *Euphemia (martyr of Chalcedon, S00017), possibly *Menas (soldier and martyr buried at Abu Mena,S00073), and of the Holy Cross. Found between present-day Constantine and Setif (Roman Numidia, central North Africa).
E0831535 relic labels at Sens (northern Gaul), datable by their script to the 7th or 8th c., for relics of a great diversity of saints. Written in Latin, perhaps at Sens, or at an earlier stage in their transmission.
E08328Domnolus, bishop of Le Mans, grants property to the basilica of *Vincent (deacon and martyr of Zaragoza and Valencia, S00290) and *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), which he had built in Le Mans (north-west Gaul), and also mentions the shrine and personal patronage of *Victorius (bishop of Le Mans, 4th c., S02952). Charter written in Latin in Le Mans, dated 4 September 581.
E08363Seven relic labels from Cantù (north-west Italy), datable by their script to c. 700, for relics of various saints. Written in Latin, perhaps at Cantù, or possibly Rome or Milan.
E08395A summary of two charters records grants of property to rural churches in the territory of Viviers (southern Gaul): one by a bishop of the early 6th c. to a church of *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033) and to a church of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, S00050); another by a bishop of the 7th c. to a church of *Stephen (which he had built), and to one of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Summaries written in Latin in Viviers, probably in the 8th c.
E08416A highly fragmentary papyrus document from the gesta municipalia of Ravenna (north-east Italy) may have recorded a grant of property by Maria, an 'honourable woman' (spectabilis femina), to Bishop Iohannes/John (I) of Ravenna, with which she hoped to secure her (and a relative's?) burial in the basilica dedicated to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037). Written in Latin in Ravenna, January 491.
E08440The Miracles of Kosmas and Damianos (12) recount how *Kosmas and Damianos (brothers, physician martyrs of Syria, S00385) in their church in Constantinople healed a woman named Martha from a cranial disease and protected her from demonic possession. Written in Greek in Constantinople; assembled as a collection by the end of the 6th century.
E08473A homily, probably by Theodore Syncellus, celebrates the recent return of the robe of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) to her church at Blachernae. The homily tells how the robe was acquired in the region of Nazareth and brought to Constantinople, where the emperor Leo I [r. 457-474] housed it appropriately at Blachernae; how, faced by an Avar threat [in 623], it was taken to safety inside the walls, to the church of Hagia Sophia, and then solemnly returned when the threat was lifted; and how, during this process, the reliquary was opened and the woollen robe found to be intact. Written in Greek in Constantinople, 623/624.