During the persecution of the emperor Valerian along with many other members of the Roman clergy, Saint Lawrence was martyred on 10 August, 258. He was the last of the seven deacons of Rome to die.
After the martyrdom of Pope Sixtus II, Lawrence became the principal authority of the Roman Church. He had been the Church’s treasurer. When he was summoned before the executioners he was ordered to bring all the wealth of the Church with him. He showed up with a handful of crippled, poor, and sick men, and when questioned, replied that “These are the true wealth of the Church.” He was immediately sent to his death, being cooked alive on a gridiron
He is venerated as one of the patrons of Rome, along with Sts. Peter and Paul.