In the 3rd century, when rulers were opposing the Christians,
Alban, a non-Christian, gave hospitality to a priest who was
fleeing from his persecutors. When Alban saw the priest
occupied day and night in continual vigils and prayers he was
intrigued and soon learned to imitate his guest's faith and devotion.
Instructed little by little by his teaching about salvation, Alban
became a wholehearted Christian. When this priest had been staying
with him for some days, it came to the ears of the ruler that a
Christian was hiding in Alban's house. He at once ordered his
soldiers to make a thorough search for him there. When they came
to Alban's dwelling, Alban at once offered himself to the soldiers
in place of his guest, having put on the cloak which the priest was
wearing, and he was brought to the judge.
On seeing Alban the judge immediately flew into a rage. 'You have chosen to conceal a rebel rather than surrender him to my soldiers, to prevent him from paying a well-deserved penalty; so you will have to take his punishment.' Alban had declared himself a Christian before the enemies of the faith, and was not at all afraid of the ruler's threats; he openly refused to obey these commands. When the judge heard this he was greatly incensed and ordered Alban to be tortured. Alban, though subjected to the cruellest tortures, bore them patiently and even joyfully for the Lord's sake. So the judge ordered him to be executed.
As he was being led to his execution, he came to a rapid river. A great crowd of people packed the bridge over the river. He could hardly have crossed it that evening. Alban raised his eyes towards heaven. Thereupon the river-bed dried up and provided a path for him to walk in. The executioner saw this. He threw away his axe and cast himself down at Alban's feet, earnestly praying that he might be judged worthy to be put to death either with Alban, or else in his place.
When he reached the top of the hill, Alban asked God to give him water and at once a perpetual spring bubbled up at his very feet, so that all could see that even the stream rendered service to Alban. And so in this spot the valiant martyr was beheaded. The soldier who had refused to strike Alban was also beheaded there. The judge was astonished by these miracles, and ordered the persecution to cease. The blessed Alban, now known as Saint Alban, suffered death on 22 June near the city of Verulamium which the English now call St. Albans.