Saint Valerius January 29

Valerian was bishop of Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza) from 290 to 315. There are few records about Valerius but tradition has it that he had a speech impediment and that the deacon, Vincent of Zaragoza, acted as his spokesman.

Both Valerius and Vincent were imprisoned under Diocletian. Vincent was martyred in Valencia. Valerius was exiled for a time to a place called Enet, near Barbastro, but we know that he was present at the Council of Elvira in 306. He died in Zaragoza in 315.

According to an old legend, Saint Valerius of Trier was a disciple of Saint Euchaire, the first bishop of Trier. Eucharius was sent in Gaul by Saint Peter as bishop, with deacon Valerius and subdeacon Maternus, to preach the Gospel.

They arrived at the Rhine and at Ellelum in Alsace, where Maternus died. His two companions hastened to return to Saint-Pierre and begged him to bring the dead man back to life. Saint Peter gave his pastoral staff to Eucharius, and, touched with it, Maternus, who had remained for forty days in his tomb, came back to life.

The Gentiles (religion) then converted in large numbers. After founding numerous churches, the three companions went to Trier where evangelization progressed so quickly that Eucharius chose this city for his episcopal residence. An angel announced his imminent death and designated Valerius as his successor.

Valerius was bishop for fifteen years and was succeeded by Maternus, who had in the meantime founded the dioceses of Cologne and Tongeren, remaining bishop for forty years.

The staff of St. Peter, with which he had been raised to life, was kept in Cologne until the end of the 10th century, when the upper half was presented to Trier and was then taken to Prague by the Emperor Charles IV.