Saint Lawrence, Lawrence also spelled Laurence, (died 258, Rome [Italy]; feast day August 10), one of the most venerated Roman martyrs, celebrated for his Christian valour. He is the patron saint of the poor and of cooks. Lawrence was among the seven deacons of the Roman church serving Pope Sixtus II, whose martyrdom preceded Lawrence’s by a few days: they were executed during the persecution under the Roman emperor Valerian.