Valerius of Saragossa

Holy Hierarch Valerius of Saragossa (Valero) was bishop of the city of Saragossa (Caesaraugusta) in Spain from 290 to 315, and is the patron of the city and diocese. Saint Vincent the Martyr served under him as deacon.

He was born at Saragossa and took part in the council of Elvira in Granada around 306. He had Vincent as his deacon, whom he ordained and commissioned to preach in the diocese; since Valerius had a speech impediment, Vincent was his spokesman. According to some descriptions Valerius was timid and retiring. In the persecution of Diocletian both were imprisoned; Valerius was taken to Valencia and then banished to a place called Enetum near Barbastro. After the persecution he returned to Saragossa, where he reposed in peace, around 315.

In 1050 some remains considered his were carried to Roda de Isábena, and after 1118, when the Christian troops of Alfonso the Battler entered Saragossa, they were brought back to the city, in several shipments over decades. His chapel is in the Catedral del Salvador. He is commemorated on 29 January (one Western calendar has 28 January), by the Western calendar (new style). He is a saint of the undivided Church.