Severus of Valeria

Holy Venerable Severus of Valeria was a priest in Italy in the sixth century, and he served at the church of the Mother of God in the village of Interocrea in central Italy, leading a life pleasing to God.

One day, as he was working in his garden cutting bunches of grapes, he was called to give communion to a dying man. He answered, "Go back, I will catch up with you," but stayed a little to finish the work. When he came to the sick man, he was told that he had died. Judging himself guilty of a man's death without repentance, he began to weep bitterly, went to the house where the dead man lay and, calling himself a murderer, fell down in tears before him. Suddenly the dead man came to life and told those present that demons had wished to take his soul, but an angel had said to give him back, because the priest Severus was weeping for him and for his tears the Lord had granted him. Severus thanked the Lord, confessed the risen man and gave him communion, and he lived seven days more, praying without ceasing, and then departed joyfully to the Lord.

The saint is commemorated on 10 July, in the new style.