Deepertruth: Saint Lawrence 31 December AD 225 – 10 August 258)

 31 December AD 225 – 10 August 258) was one of the seven deacons of the city of Rome under Pope Sixtus II.

As a deacon in Rome, Lawrence was responsible for the material goods of the Church and the distribution of alms to the poor.

Ambrose of Milan related that when the treasures of the Church were demanded of Lawrence by the prefect of Rome, he brought forward the poor, to whom he had distributed the treasure as alms.

 "Behold in these poor persons the treasures which I promised to show you; to which I will add pearls and precious stones, those widows and consecrated virgins, which are the Church's crown.

The prefect was so angry that he had a great gridiron prepared with hot coals beneath it and had Lawrence placed on it, hence Lawrence's association with the gridiron. After the martyr had suffered pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he cheerfully declared: "I'm well done on this side. Turn me over!