Outside the magnificent city walls of Avila, Spain is the 12th century Basilica of Saint Vincent, built over the spot where Saint Vincent was martyred by Roman officials in 304 AD. Vincent was a nobleman and an archdeacon of the church of Zaragoza, Spain. During the persecution ordered by Emperor Diocletian, Vincent spoke up in defense of his bishop and himself before the Roman official Dacian. Dacian ordered that Bishop Valerian be exiled and Vincent be executed. Vincent was first stretched on a rack, then his flesh was torn with hooks and finally was placed on a red-hot iron.
Though the remains of Vincent are not buried at the basilica in Avila, there is an elaborate funerary monument depicting the story of Vincent. The Romanesque church is beautifully preserved.
Detail of monument: Saint Vincent being stretched. Note that the Roman soldiers are dressed in medieval armor
Let us Pray.
Eternal Father, you gave Saint Vincent
the courage to endure torture and death for the Gospel:
fill us with your Spirit and strengthen us in your love.
Through Christ Our Lord.
[Pictures: Avila, 2011]
Pictures are mine, all rights reserved
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