Valeria of Rome

Holy Martyr Valeria of Rome, daughter of the empress Alexandra, is remembered together with her mother. The empress Alexandra, whose death, only apparent, had been recorded in the acts of the martyrdom of Saint George, written right after his death, nevertheless was granted the crown of martyrdom a few years later, in 314.

Many things happened in those years. The emperor Diocletian abdicated in 305, and power passed to his co-⁠emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311), a fanatic of paganism, a harsh and cruel soldier. His wife was the daughter of Saint Alexandra, the Holy Martyr Valeria, whom Diocletian had given in marriage against her will in the time of his reign. Alexandra raised her daughter in Christian piety. After the death of Galerius, the emperor Maximin sought her hand. Refused, he exiled Valeria to Syria, where she lived with her mother. After the death of Maximin, in 313, mother and daughter came to Nicomedia, hoping for the mercy of the emperor Licinius (313-324). He had signed, with Saint Constantine, equal to the Apostles, the Edict of Milan, which gave Christians freedom of faith, but remained in secret an enemy of Christianity. Licinius ordered the empress Alexandra and her daughter Valeria put to death. They were beheaded and their bodies were thrown into the sea.

Saint Valeria is commemorated on 6 May, in the new style. Her name is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.