Saint Vincent
Saint Vincent of Saragossa (born c. 275 AD in Huesca, Aragon, Spain; died January 22, 304 AD in Valencia, Spain) was a Spanish deacon and the first Christian martyr of Spain (Protomartyrum Hispaniae). He was martyred in Valencia during the Diocletianic Persecution under the governor Dacian. His death was distinguished by extraordinary courage and endurance under torture, and his cult spread throughout the entire medieval Christian world with extraordinary rapidity — he became one of the most widely venerated martyrs in both East and West. He is the patron of Lisbon, Valencia, and Saragossa (Zaragoza). His feast day is January 22.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Vincent
| Saint Vincent | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 22 |
| Profession | Deacon of Saragossa; first martyr of Spain; protomartyr of Hispania |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; ancient Spanish church; 4th-century martyrology; protomartyr of Spain; patron of Lisbon and Valencia |
| Patronage | Lisbon (Portugal); Valencia (Spain); Zaragoza/Saragossa (Spain); winemakers and vinedressers (his feast falls in the wine-pruning season); sailors (the raven-ship tradition); wine (from the pruning calendar); deacons |
| Attributes | Palm of martyrdom; deacon's dalmatic; gridiron (like Saint Lawrence); millstone (thrown into the sea with it); ravens (Lisbon tradition); the ship with ravens; book of the Gospels (as deacon) |
| Birthplace | Huesca, Aragon, Spain |
| Death Place | Valencia, Spain |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; tortured to death at Valencia during the Diocletianic Persecution under the governor Dacian; he was subjected to extraordinary tortures — the rack (stretching), burning on a gridiron (like Saint Lawrence), exposure to salt, and other refinements; he endured all with extraordinary courage and cheerfulness that astonished his torturers; he died of his wounds; his body was reportedly thrown into the sea with a millstone attached (to prevent veneration), but washed up on shore and was buried by Christians; his graveside became a pilgrimage site immediately |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Valencia — traditional martyr city; Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) — primary relic shrine; Cabo de São Vicente (Cape Saint Vincent, Portugal) — ancient veneration site |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Rite); January 22; Feast in Spain and Portugal |
| Historic Class | Double (January 22) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Vincent was born c. 275 AD in Huesca, Aragon, Spain. He became a deacon under Bishop Valerius of Saragossa. When the Diocletianic Persecution reached Spain under governor Dacian, both were arrested. Valerius was exiled; Vincent was taken to Valencia.
At Valencia he was subjected to multiple forms of torture — the rack, the gridiron, salt rubbed into his wounds, a spiked floor — all of which he endured with extraordinary courage and serenity. He died of his wounds on January 22, 304 AD.
His body was thrown into the sea with a millstone attached, but washed ashore and was buried by Christians. The tomb became an immediate pilgrimage site.
His cult spread throughout the entire Christian world with extraordinary speed. Saint Augustine of Hippo preached multiple homilies on his feast; the Spanish poet Prudentius wrote a famous poem on his passion.
His relics were transferred to Lisbon in 1173 — brought by ship accompanied by ravens. Lisbon adopted him as patron; the boat with two ravens became the city's heraldic symbol, still used today.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Huesca, Aragon, Spain
Death location: Valencia, Spain
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Parishes
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Media
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) — primary relic shrine; Lisbon's patron.
- Cathedral of Valencia — city of his martyrdom.
- Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal — ancient veneration site bearing his name.
Feast day
January 22
Veneration
Saint Vincent of Saragossa is the first martyr of Spain and one of the most universally venerated martyrs of the ancient Church. His endurance under torture, praised by Augustine and Prudentius, spread his cult throughout Christendom. Patron of Lisbon and Valencia. Feast January 22.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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