Valerius of Saragossa

Saint 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 Iliberis.^[1] His feast day is January 29.

Vincent of Saragossa was a disciple, companion, as well as his deacon, and both Valerius and Vincent suffered imprisonment under Diocletian.

There are few records of Valero but he was known to be present at the Council Elvira, Granada (ca.306) and his disciple and deacon Vincent was martyred at Valencia during the Diocletian persecution. Tradition hold he had a speach impediment, which is why the fiery Vicente preached for the Bishop.

He was exiled to a place called Enet, near Barbastro, where Valerius died, and whence his relics were translated first to Roda, the head and arm being brought thence to Saragossa when that city had been reconquered.^[1] He may also have been killed at Saragossa.

His relics were rediscovered around 1050AD. 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.