ST VALENTINIAN, BISHOP OF CHUR - 13 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 13th of January

WELCOME!

SAINT VALENTINIAN, BISHOP OF CHUR

Valentinian has been venerated as bishop of Chur (Switzerland) since ancient times. Recently, the odd voice piped up calling into question the century-old facts about this holy man - especially regarding his episcopal dignity. But history tells us that Chur already had its bishops in the 5th century and was placed under the archbishopric of Milan; the bishop's registers of Chur invariably name him as Eddo's successor. Furthermore, tradition of this city names Valentinian as the builder and (second) founder of the Saint Lucius (Luzius) Monastery. This truth is proven by his tombstone found in this monastery with an inscription, according to which he died on January 13, 548; in our translation it reads:

This place encloses the glory of the Rhaetian land,

it weeps for the most wonderful of bishops.

He gave rich gifts to the poor, clothed the naked,

granted protection to all the many afflicted, and comfort to the prisoners.

The fear of God lifted him up to heaven, he did not feel the sting of death;

rejoicing in his works, he now dwells beyond the stars.

These sublime titles decorate you, O Priest Valentinian, 

no one ever believed that death would conquer you.

Notwithstanding these facts, the Bollandists* (Sept. III. 300) insert Valentinian among the Praetermissi, claiming not to have sufficient evidence about his cult, although the Chur Proprium plainly contains his Office. On the other hand, Valentinian is not listed in the Roman Martyrology*. His feast days are January 13, September 8, and September 9.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882, p. 635)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Valentinian may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org