Valens of Jerusalem

1 May

Valens, aged deacon and martyr of Jerusalem, with presbyter Pamphilus and Porphyrius and companions, killed at Caesarea in Palestine in 309.

Pamphilus, a native of Beirut, received a high education and was the presbyter in Caesarea. During the persecution of Diocletian, Pamphilus suffered torture, together with Valens, the aged deacon of the Prophet Elijah Church, and Paul, a native of Jamnia. After torture all of them were imprisoned for two years and finally were dismembered by the sword together with five young Egyptians. Porphyrius, a servant of Pamphilus, asked permission to bury the bodies. When he confessed to being a Christian, he was burned. Seleucus, a warrior, was beheaded. Theodulus, the starets (elder), was crucified on a cross. One young Christian, Julian, approaching Caesarea, saw the mutilated bodies of the martyrs, went up to them, and kissed them. Soldiers who saw this informed the governor, and when the young man confessed Christ he was burned. [16 February among the Orthodox]