Who St. Valentine really was!

On February 14, in the year of 270 A.D. a great man was executed. Keep reading to find out why.

When in Rome do as "Valentine The Brave" did!

In Rome, many young Christians were persecuted and jailed for believing in Christ, and not worshiping the emperor, Claudius II. They received aid from a brave Priest who refused to live in fear and avoid helping his fellows. Also, the Emperor wanted an enormous army and found that married men did not want to serve and leave their families. So, he outlawed marriage! Valentine however, believed in the sanctity of marriage and decided to break this law and continue to perform weddings.Once he was found out, Valentine was arrested and jailed for his Catholic beliefs and practices.

Valentine's Mission-

He saw jail as no excuse to stop teaching God's Word. Not only did he refuse to give up his faith, he refused to stop teaching it. Valentine wrote many notes to those who had not yet converted to Christianity. He signed these messages, "Your Valentine" (meaning, I am your servant) .The first one was sent to his jailer's daughter, who was blind (Someone asked me her name, and I can not find it. ) She fell in love with him, and visited him often, delivering his notes for him. Valentine did not write her personally again until the eve of his beheading.

According to history, St. Valentine converted over 40 of this jailer's relatives! The Emperor Claudius II came to like his prisoner very much and was believed to be planning his release. Then he learned that Valentine was sending out written homilies and sermons (a homile, is a talk given on the assigned gospel that the Catholic Church chooses for that Sunday, while a sermon is about what ever the priest decides to talk on) and became angry. When confronted, St. Valentine attempted to convert the Emperor to Christianity. The Emperor, then decided to put Valentine The Beloved, to death. He survived a beating by clubs and a stoning, so they beheaded him.

Valentine's Legacy-

Valentine did exist as his catacomb was discovered in 496 A.D. by a group of archeologists. Included were his remains, a painting of him on a piece of wood, and a written biography. It was said that the origins of this holiday came from the Pagans. That is NOT true. This holiday was always in memory of the loving man who died on February 14 and was known for sending beautifully written letters from his jail cell!

Today, Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day are the most celebrated of any holidays that are dedicated to a single saint.

Legends about this Priest-

What I have written is all based on his biography. Here are some unconfirmed stories that I am uncertain about.

-The jailer's daughter fell in love with Valentine from hearing his letters read to her and wanted to meet him. When she went to his cell, he reached through the bars and touched her face. She then was able to see until the day she died.

-That he was a missionary rather than a locally stationed priest.

-That many couples came to his prison to be married by him.

Valentine Today-

On top of the largely celebrated holiday in his name, Valentine is known as the patron saint of young people, happy marriages, bee keepers, Epilepsy and fainting, among others.

Thank you for reading and feel free to comment below.