SAINTS JULIUS AND AARON

We are on home ground with these two pre-reformation martyrs.  Ss Julius and Aaron were martyred at Caerleon, which is just 7 miles from Usk, where our own St David Lewis died for the faith in 1679.

Most of what is known about Ss Julius and Aaron we glean from the writings of Bede.  In his 'History of the English Church and Peoples', Bede writes "In the same persecution (as Alban) suffered Aaron and Julius, citizens of the City of Legions."  Not too much else is known about the two martyrs.  Some legends maintain that that were Roman soldiers who were converted by the priest, Amphibalus, after his escape from Verulamium.  Some hold the belief that Aaron was a native Briton, and Julius a Roman.  It is thought that, dying soon after Alban, they were probably victims of the Diocletian persecution.  

Catholic Church of Saints Julius, Aaron

and David, Caerleon

The Catholic Church in Caerleon is dedicated to Ss Julius and Aaron.  In Wales, their feast day is celebrated with St Alban on 20th June. 

THE PROTOMARTYR

In the month of June several martyrs are commemorated.  Over the next few weeks it might be good to take a look at some of them. So far, this blog has dealt only with Reformation Martyrs, mainly St David Lewis, but the beginning is usually the best place to start! So we will start with St Alban, thought to be the first Briton to shed his blood for the faith, and as such, the Protomartyr.  

The martyrdom of St Alban

Alban was a pagan who lived in Verulamium circa third/fourth century.  A Christian priest, possibly named Amphibalus, was fleeing persecution and Alban gave him shelter. Alban was impressed by the priest's holiness and experienced a conversion. Consequently he sought instruction in the faith from the priest.

Discovering where the priest was hiding, the authorities sent soldiers to apprehend him. They found Alban, dressed in the priest's cloak, and thinking him to be Amphibalus, they arrested him.  Alban was brought before a judge who became furious when he realised that this man was not the priest.  He ordered that Alban should receive the punishment that the priest would have been given unless he worshipped pagan gods.  Alban replied that he would never again worship such false gods and said, "If you want to know the truth about my religion, know that I am a Christian, and carry out Christian rites". The judge demanded to know to what family Alban belonged but Alban bravely replied "My parents named me Alban, and I worship and adore the living and true God, who crated all things".  The judge had Alban flogged, tortured, and  beheaded.  On the way to the place of execution, Alban converted the soldier who was to be his executioner and another had to be found to carry out the beheading.  

According to St Bede, the martyrdom took place on 22nd June but the year is uncertain.  St Alban's feast is celebrated on 20th June.