In Sambir, Lviv Region (western Ukraine), there is a little-known shrine: the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church keeps relics of Saint Valentine. The relics are displayed for veneration in a glass sarcophagus, accompanied by several related artifacts.
According to descriptions, the reliquary includes:
- a fragment of the saint’s skull;
- several additional bone fragments;
- an item resembling a stone (often linked to a Roman burial context);
- a separate vessel containing myrrh.
How the relics reached Sambir
Historical references in public and church-related materials indicate that the shrine arrived in Sambir in May 1759, sent from Rome (the Holy See / the Vatican) to the local community. Some accounts also associate the relics with finds from the Cemetery (Catacombs) of Saint Priscilla in Rome, traditionally connected to early Christian burials.
Another key point often mentioned is preservation: during the Soviet period, when access to religious treasures was frequently restricted, the relics were reportedly hidden for safety. Researchers also note that original accompanying documents bearing seals, allegedly provided with the relics, have not survived.
A church known for two major sacred objects
The Sambir church is associated not only with Saint Valentine’s relics. Publications also highlight a revered miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Sambir, making the site notable for two important objects of devotion.
Why multiple churches claim Saint Valentine relics
Historians and church commentators regularly point out that many churches across Europe and beyond claim to hold relics of Saint Valentine—usually separate fragments that were distributed over centuries. Sambir is one of the locations included in this wider “map of relics.”