Feastday: January 22
Patron: of Zaragoza
Death: 315
Bishop of Saragossa, Spain. He was apparently exiled during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305) but managed to survive and to return to his see after the proclamation of the Edict of Toleration. St. Vincent was his deacon.
Saint Valerius of Saragossa (Spanish: San Valero; Aragonese: Sant 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. His feast day is January 29.
History
Valerian was bishop of Caesaraugusta (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.
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, but is known to have been present at the Council Elvira, (ca.306). He died in Saragossa in 315.
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.
