⛪ Saint of the Day : April 14
⛪ Born :
• 177 in Rome, Italy
⛪ Died :
• Beaten to death in 229 Rome, Italy • Legend says that a violent storm broke out as they died, leading to the patronage against storms
⛪ Patronage : Against storms
⛪ Symbols :
• With an angel, whips and torture instruments • With Saint Cecilia • With a wedding ring
Saint and Roman Martyr. Husband of Saint Cecilia. On their wedding night, Cecilia told him that an angel of God told her that she had to remain a virgin. Valerian, who was born a pagan, wanted to see the angel, and Cecilia told him that he would only see the angel if he converted to Christianity by being baptized by Pope Urban. He was baptized and upon his return, saw Cecilia talking to the angel. Cecilia was also successful in converting Valerian's brother, St. Tiburtius. Both men gave their possessions to the poor, and dedicated their lives in caring for the sick and burying Christians who were tortured to death. When the governor, Turcius Almachius heard of this, he brought them to trial and asked them to renounce their faith in Christ. They refused and were tortured. Valerian, under torture, urged Christians not to be afraid of torments and to stand firm in Christ. Almachius then ordered for the brothers to be beheaded. Valerian's original burial site was the Catacombs of Praetextatus, but Pope Paschal I moved his remains and the remains of St. Cecilia in 821 A.D. to the church dedicated to her. His feast day is April 14.
