Dcn Susan Erickson

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Today the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches recognize Vincent of Saragossa (d. 304), proto-martyr of the Iberian Peninsula and patron saint of, among other things, vineyards, winemakers, vinegar-makers and Lisbon.

If this introduction seems lighthearted, Vincent’s story is not—he was, after all, a martyr, caught up in the great persecutions under the Roman emperor Diocletian. Vincent served Bishop Valerius as a deacon, and the bishop had great respect for Vincent’s speaking abilities. When they refused to renounce their faith and worship the emperor, Vincent and Valerius were imprisoned by the governor of Spain.

Valerius, who legend says suffered from a speech impediment, allowed Vincent to speak in their defense. “Son,” he said, “as I committed you to dispense the word of God, so I now charge you to answer in vindication of the faith which we defend.” Vincent’s defense was so eloquent that it enraged the governor.

He exiled Valerius but had Vincent subjected to a variety of tortures. At last they laid Vincent, still alive, on a bed and asked him once again to give up his faith. But Vincent refused and died. Legend has it that his tormentors wanted to completely destroy his body by leaving it for wild animals and birds of prey to devour. But ravens came and protected Vincent’s body, which is now thought to rest in Lisbon Cathedral.

You can see a modern image of Vincent by clicking here.

Though our canticle sings of the “noble army of martyrs,” I tend to avoid descriptions of torture and have spared you the details of Vincent’s martyrdom here. But I’m a fan of ravens, and the corvid family generally, so this aspect of Vincent’s legend appealed to me.  In addition, Vincent was a deacon; apparently he not only served the poor and needy but, as his bishop noted, “dispense[d] the word of God” and was also capable of arguing in defense of his faith.

Vincent’s story weaves together eloquence used to the glory of God; steadfastness under extreme persecution; the deacon’s dual roles of minister to the needy and dispenser and defender of God’s word; and, the uncanny intelligence of God’s creatures. These seem like worthy themes to meditate on (whether or not we’re deacons!) as we begin our week. 

 Faithfully,

—Dcn Susan