Saint Vincent of Saragossa

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Saint Vincent of Saragossa
Feast Day	January 22
Liturgical Class
Patronage	vinedressers; vintners; brickmakers; sailors; Lisbon; Valencia
Birthplace	Huesca, Hispania Tarraconensis, Roman Empire
Death Place	Valencia, Hispania Tarraconensis, Roman Empire
Cause of Death	martyrdom
Primary Shrine	Basilica of San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain

Saint Vincent of Saragossa (Latin: Vincentius; died 22 January 304), also known as Vincent the Deacon, was a 4th-century Spanish deacon and the protomartyr of Spain, renowned for his eloquence and courage under the Diocletianic Persecution. According to the near-contemporary poetic account of Prudentius (Peristephanon hymn 5, c. 400) and Augustine’s sermons, Vincent was deacon to Bishop Valerius of Saragossa. Arrested with his bishop under Governor Dacian, Vincent spoke for both at trial in Valencia, earning savage torture—racked, torn with hooks, burned on a gridiron—yet remaining defiant. Beheaded on 22 January 304, his body was exposed to beasts but protected by a raven; cast into the sea weighted with a millstone, it washed ashore and was buried by Christians.

Venerated from the 4th century, Vincent’s cult spread rapidly; churches were dedicated to him by the 5th century, and his name appears in the First Eucharistic Prayer. His feast is 22 January. Patron of vinedressers, vintners, brickmakers, sailors, Lisbon, and Valencia, he is one of the most celebrated Spanish martyrs.

Biography

Birth

No reliable historical data exist concerning the birth of Saint Vincent. Tradition places him in Huesca or Saragossa, late 3rd century.

Early Life

Vincent served as deacon to Bishop Valerius of Saragossa, acting as spokesman due to the bishop’s speech impediment.

Occupation

Deacon of Saragossa.

Vocation

Vincent’s vocation culminated in public witness during trial and torture in Valencia.

Death

Saint Vincent was martyred on 22 January 304 in Valencia after prolonged torture.

Saint Vincent of Saragossa met his end through martyrdom.

Significant events

• Arrested with Bishop Valerius, 303–304.
• Tortured and executed in Valencia, 22 January 304.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Huesca, Hispania Tarraconensis, Roman Empire
• Death location: Valencia, Hispania Tarraconensis, Roman Empire
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Parishes

Saint Vincent of Saragossa
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Shrines

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Canonization

As a protomartyr of Spain, Saint Vincent was venerated from the 4th century without formal canonization.

Miracles

Traditions include:

• Raven protecting body.
• Body washing ashore intact.

Patronage

Saint Vincent of Saragossa is patron of vinedressers, vintners, brickmakers, sailors, Lisbon, and Valencia.

Feast day

January 22

Veneration

Saint Vincent is venerated on 22 January with special solemnity in Valencia and Lisbon.

External links

• New Advent: St. Vincent of Saragossa
• Catholic Online: St. Vincent of Saragossa