The anniversary of the death of San Lorenzo (or St Lawrence), second only to St Peter and St Paul in popularity, is on 10 August. The saint's martyrdom is celebrated every year with fireworks and public celebrations in the area surrounding his crypt on the Via Tiburtina, where he was killed in 258 AD. The cathedral on the site was erected much later in honour of the saint by Emperor Constantine, but there are records of the celebration dating back to the second decade of the 4th century, making the observance one of the earliest of the Roman Church. In his divine capacity, the saint presides over librarians. He is also the patron of firemen, bakers and other professions who work with fire and roasting. This association is based on a popular legend concerning his martyrdom, a legend that states he was slowly roasted on a gridiron by the troops of the Emperor. On the threshold of death he is said to have pronounced the famous phrase in Latin, "ecce, miser, assasti tibi partem unam, regira aliam et manduca". Roughly translated, this means "here, you miserable person: you have roasted one side for yourself, now turn me over and eat". Many other legends surround the popular saint. One of them claims that falling stars seen on the night of 10 August are sparks from the fire that burned his body; others say they are his tears, shed over the sins of mankind.
fonte: whatsonwhen