Saint Serapion of Algiers
Also known as
• Serapion of England
• Serapio of...
Profile
As a boy he accompanied his father in the Third Crusade, and was at the battle of Acre in 1191. Member of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom, received into the Order by Saint Peter Nolasco at Barcelona, Spain in 1222. Worked with Saint Raymond Nonnatus to free 150 Christian slaves in 1229. Assigned to recruit for the Order in England, his ship was captured by pirates, and Serapion was left for dead. He survived, however, and wandered the area of London, England preaching against the theft and abuse of Church property which was happening in that area; he was ordered to leave London, and spent some time as a wandering evangelist in the British Isles. In 1240 he took a ransom to release 87 Christians held in Algiers by Muslims, and when the captors demanded more money, he volunteered to stay as a hostage until it arrived. He then worked as a missionary, converting many to Christianity. Authorities then tortured, scourged, abused and executed him. Martyr.
Born
c.1179 in London, England
Died
crucified, stabbed and dismembered alive in Algeria in 1240
Canonized
14 April 1728 by Pope Benedict XIII
Patronage
• against arthritis
• Azul, Argentina, diocese of
Representation
young Mercedarian tied to a cross
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