Valerius of Saragossa

Saint Valerius of Saragossa

San Valero. Fresco by Francisco de Goya. Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Saragossa.
Died 315 AD
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast January 22
(formerly January 28)
Patronage Saragossa

Saint Valerius of Saragossa (Spanish: San Valero) (d. 315 AD) is the patron saint of Saragossa. He was bishop of this city from 290 until his death. He assisted at the Council of Elvira.[1] His feast day is January 29.

History

Valerian was bishop of Caesaraugustana (Saragossa) from 290 until 315. There are few records of Valerius but tradition holds that he had a speech impediment, and that the deacon, Vincent of Saragossa, acted as his spokesman.[2]

Both Valerius and Vincent suffered imprisonment under Diocletian. Vincent was martyred at Valencia. Valerius was exiled for a time to a place called Enet, near Barbastro,[1] but is known to have been present at the Council Elvira, (ca.306).[3]

His relics were discovered around 1050. An idealised portrait of this Bishop is found in the magnificent Pantaleão, Zaragoza.

Veneration

Statue of Valerius. Sepulcher of Abbot Lope Marco. Monastery of Santa María de Veruela.

A chapel dedicated to him can be found at La Seo Cathedral. It includes a baroque entryway of gilded wood from the seventeenth century with scenes of the saints Valerius, Vincent, and Lawrence.

References

  1. 1 2 Amadó, Ramón Ruiz. "Saragossa." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 11 Feb. 2015
  2. ↑ "St. Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain", St. Vincent Cathedral, Bedford, Texas
  3. ↑ Hefele, Karl Joseph von. A History of the Councils of the Church, from the Original Documents, Vol. 1, T. & T. Clark, 1883
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