A quick overview

Saint Lawrence was a deacon in the city of Rome who was martyred by emperor Valerian. He was ordered to hand over the riches of the church but instead presented the city’s indigent, crippled, blind, and suffering, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church and said “Here are the treasures of the church. You see, the church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor!”

Legend says For this he was executed in a brutal method. A gridiron was placed over hot coals and he was slowly killed. It is said as he was dying he cried out “‘I’m well done on this side. Turn me over!’”

The offical account of his death was that the emperor ordered him to be decapitated but the legend remains and Saint Lawrence was made the patron saint of cooks, chefs, and restaurateurs.