2nd century
Feast: September 15
Second-century martyr who died courageously for his Christian faith during early Roman persecution.
Valerianus was an early Christian martyr who lived in the 2nd century at Tournus. He faced persecution during the early period of Christian evangelization in Gaul. When arrested for his faith, he refused to renounce Christ or sacrifice to Roman gods. He endured torture with remarkable courage and faith. He was executed for his Christian beliefs, becoming an early witness to Christ in France.