Legend of Saint Alban

As some of you may have realised we live in a city named after a Christian saint; Saint Alban. Alban was not actually an early Christian convert, but rather a citizen of Roman Verulamium who gave shelter to a Christian refugee and when the Romans came to claim the other man, Alban instead took his place. He was executed on a hillside opposite the Roman city, on which now stands the cathedral of St Albans. So on June 23^rd, the city celebrates the death and martyrdom of Alban.


The celebration takes the form of a re-enacted pilgrimage - from outside the Museum through the park to the top of the hill where the execution took place. About 200 children, adults and priests had a role. Some in costume, dressed as soldiers or fathers, even the rare castle structure or horse. This year the pilgrimage even had the honour of Archbishop Tutu's presence.



It is a strange occurrence indeed to see hundreds of people following three large puppets and a couple of eyes on sticks. Yes, eyes on sticks (note the eye behind the girl in the picture above). Apparently when the Roman soldier decapitated Alban, the soldier’s eyes popped out of his head, so there were two eyes following the progression throughout, which must have been one of the odder things involved. (Saint Alban in the one in blue by the way, accompanied by two Roman soldiers - see below...)

You could tell it was like a regional theatre production, but some of the attendees were quite in awe, especially when the fire brigade re-enacted the up swelling of a fresh water spring by shooting water from a hose out into the lake.

At the top of the hill people huddled around and listed to a brief narration of what happened the day Saint Alban became a martyr. This was following by an actual re-enactment of what happened, including 'cutting' off his head.

Saint Alban here awaits his fate as the Roman soldier approaches to get the ax.

The head priest shows Saint Albans head to everyone. Note the eye nearby, which as legend has it, popped out of the Roman soldier's head when he killed Saint Alban (slightly strange, especially in its re-enactment... )

Anyway, it was an interesting sight to see and we can now cross off, re-enactment of saint’s martyrdom from my list of things seen in this world.