Who Was Saint Vincent the Martyr and Why Is January 22 Celebrated in His Honor?
Next Wednesday, January 22, Valencia will celebrate a public holiday in honor of Saint Vincent the Martyr, the city’s patron saint. Known as a holiday “within the crosses,” this tradition remains an important event every January 22, and 2025 is no exception.
Valencia will pay tribute to Saint Vincent throughout the day. In 304 AD, he fled Roman persecution in Zaragoza and arrived in Valencia. His unwavering faith made him a revered figure, with even King Jaume I crediting his intercession for Valencia’s reconquest.
The Story of Saint Vincent the Martyr
During Roman persecution, young Vincent endured severe torture, including burns and lacerations, before being imprisoned. His steadfast faith inspired widespread admiration. He died in prison on January 22, 304.
After his death, his body was discarded in a dump, protected from scavenger birds by a raven. Eventually, it was thrown into the sea but was later found intact near present-day Cullera. He was officially buried in 313. Following Valencia’s Muslim conquest, his remains were moved to Cape Saint Vincent in Portugal, where their trail was lost. After the Reconquista, Jaume I declared him a protector of Valencia, solidifying his legendary status.
Today, several sites in Valencia honor Saint Vincent. The Church of Santa Monica houses the column he was tied to before entering the city, while San Vicente de la Roqueta and Valencia Cathedral safeguard relics. The cathedral’s Chapel of the Resurrection holds his incorrupt left arm.
Saint Vincent is also the patron of the Tailors’ and Dressmakers’ Guild. Festivities include various events leading up to January 22, such as processions from the Cathedral, the Tailors’ Guild, and the commemoration of Saint Vincent’s baptism.
Events Planned for January 22, 2025
The city will host several masses and processions. The main celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. with a mass at Valencia Cathedral, followed by a procession starting in Plaza de la Reina, moving through Calle de la Mar, and ending in Plaza de la Almoina. The event concludes with a small mascletà in Plaza de la Reina at 1 p.m.
At 8 p.m., Cristo Rey Church will hold a special Mozarabic mass, one of only two celebrated in Spain (the other being in Toledo). This ancient rite preserves the traditions of Visigothic liturgy.