Valentine’s Day saint was a Roman martyr
Many versions of St Valentine's story exist, but they all point to third century Rome.
THE origin of St Valentine – and how many St Valentines there were – remains a mystery.
One opinion is that he was a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Other historians hold that St Valentine was a temple priest jailed for defiance during the reign of Claudius. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to St Valentine.
In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14 as a celebration in honour of his martyrdom.
The first representation of St Valentine appeared in The Nuremberg Chronicle, a great illustrated book printed in 1493. Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II.
Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome, Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned.
Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus made a strategic error. He tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn’t kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate circa 269.
Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they’re expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer’s daughter, signing it: ‘From your Valentine’.
St Valentine is the patron saint of beekeepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.
(Information from Catholic Online)
