Saint of the Day – 22 October – Saint Valerius of Langres (Died c411) Archdeacon Martyr. Valerius worked under the saintly Bishop Desiderius of Langres (c307-c356). Died by being beheaded on 22 October c411 near Besancon, France. Also known as – Valière, Valier, Vallier, Valerio. Celebrated on 23 October in the Town named after him, Saint-Vallier
There are different opinions regarding the timescale of the Martyrdom of our Saint . Some believed that it was during the invasion uner Emperor Gallienus (253-68), when the Germanic King Crocus (c260-306) invaded Gaul. Crocus is described as the King of the Vandals. In 260 he led a revolt against the Roman Empire and advanced to Clermont, possibly as far as Ravenna.
The Church historian Louis de Tillemont (1637-1698) believes that St Desiderius was killed on 23 May 411 and his Deacon, St Valerius a few months later, at a time when the country was subject to violence and plundering by invading forces.
After the death of Bishop St Desiderius, Valerius hurriedly gathered the remnants of the Christian congregation and fled by night to the banks of the river Saône. After several months of wandering through the forests, he arrived at Port-Abucin or Port-sur-Saône. This trading Town had made a fortune because it was the last port when going up the Saône.
As soon as the barbarians crossed the Rhine, the Roman road from the Rhine to Langres via Belfort, Luxeuil and Purgerot enabled them to reach Langres and thence to the heart of Gaul in less than four days. The Vandals under Crocus occupied this place, after the conquest of Langres and there they seized Archdeacon Valerius. He was beaten with sticks, pierced with iron nails and finally beheaded on 22 October 411.
The Christians nearby buried his body in the place where he had suffered Martyrdom. His cult spread rapidly in the region. St Desiderius’ successor, as the Bishop of Langres, heard of all the miraculous events which occurred at Valerius’ intercession and immediately proceeded to build a Church on the site of his Martyrdom at Port-sur-Saône.
The Church was remarkable for its size and beneath it lay a crypt which became famous throughout the Country because of all the miracles which happened there. This old Basilica from the 5th Century disappeared and was first replaced by a modest Chapel and in 1836 the current three-nave Basilica was built in the village now called Saint-Vallier. Every year his Feast is celebrated with a great festival on 23 October.
Many Parishes in the Diocese of Chaumont and Langres chose Valerius as their Patron Saint – in Franche-Comté there are three of them, in Doubs and eight in Haute-Saône, among them Barges, Semmadon and Saint-Vallier near Beaujeu.
St Desiderius here:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/23/saint-of-the-day-23-may-saint-desiderius-of-langres-c-307-c-356-martyr/
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