Valerian of Rome

Holy Martyr Valerian of Rome was the husband of the Holy Martyr Cecilia. Cecilia, of a rich and noble Roman family, had received the faith from her youth, prayed zealously, helped the needy and wore a rough hair shirt beneath her costly garments. Her parents resolved to give her in marriage to the pagan Valerian. She did not dare resist, but prayed with tears that her bridegroom would believe in Christ and that she would keep her virginity. Cecilia prevailed on Valerian to go with her to Bishop Urban, hidden from persecution in a cave near the Appian Way. The old man's teaching entered the soul of Valerian, who believed in Christ and brought his brother Tiburtius to the faith as well. The brothers gave part of their property to the poor, cared for the sick and buried Christians killed by the persecutors.

When he learned of it, the governor Almachius ordered them seized and tried. He demanded that they renounce Christ and sacrifice to the gods, and they refused and were beaten mercilessly with whips. Valerian, in his torments, urged the Christians not to fear suffering but to stand firm for Christ. The governor, wishing to rid the people of the influence of the preacher, ordered them taken out of the city and killed. The soldiers escorting them were commanded by Maximus, who, amazed at their courage, asked why they did not fear death. The brothers answered that they were leaving a passing life for the eternal one. Maximus wished to learn Christian teaching more fully, brought Valerian and Tiburtius to his house and listened to their words all night. Cecilia came to him with a priest, and Maximus was baptized with his whole household.

The next day Valerian and Tiburtius were beheaded. Maximus confessed before all that he had seen their souls rising to heaven, and for this he was beaten with whips to death (in 230). The governor wished to seize the property of the condemned, but learned that Cecilia had distributed it to the poor and that through her preaching she had brought four hundred people to the faith, and so he ordered her death as well. For three days she was kept in an overheated bath, in heat and smoke, but the grace of God protected her. Then she was condemned to be beheaded. The executioner struck her but only wounded her, and she suffered three more days, fully conscious, strengthening those around her in the faith, and reposed with a prayer on her lips.

Saint Valerian is commemorated on 5 December, in the new style.