Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Valens, Arian bp. of Mursa

Valens (4), Arian bp. of Mursa in Pannonia, and together with Ursacius the leading Western opponent of Athanasius. He must have been born c. 300, as we find him a most

influential bishop from a.d. 332 (cf. Socr. H. E. i. 27). The activity and influence of Valens was confined to the East. The West was always hostile to him, and frequently excommunicated him, the last occasion being at a council held at Rome in 369. He probably died some time prior to 375.

[G.T.S.]