So who was the real St. Valentine? Supported by historical fact, St. Valentine was a Roman Christian who, according to tradition, was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II on February 14, 269 A.D. Known as Claudius the Cruel, he declared all Christians illegal citizens. By his definition, they were guilty of treason because Roman citizens were required by law to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly "Caesar is Lord." Of course no true Christian would do this. He also made it a crime to offer aid or comfort to any Christian in need. Valentine refused to bow to the Emperor, would not stop practicing his faith, and continued to care for everyone who asked for his help. Claudius found out that St. Valentine refused to deny his faith and had him thrown into prison. Everyone loved the Roman priest and it is said many slipped pieces of paper, rolled up and tied with a ribbon, through the prison walls. Their messages offered him words of comfort and hope. The young, the old, the wealthy, the poor—this kindhearted and soft spoken priest was honored by all.
MIRACLES HAPPEN
One of St. Valentine's jailers was a man named Asterious. He also recognized that Valentine was a kind, honorable, and educated man. He asked St. Valentine to instruct his blind adopted daughter Julia, who was young and wanted to learn despite the fact she could not see. Valentine agreed and read stories of Rome to her, spending hours describing the world which surrounded her that she couldn't see for herself. He told her about God and Julia began to see the world through Valentine's eyes. She began to find spiritual comfort through his spiritual strength. One day she asked him if God really heard her prayers. Valentine assured Julia that God did hear her prayers, providing it was for her greater spiritual good.
She began praying every morning and night that she might see everything that Valentine had told her about the world.The story is told that one day as they sat together praying, a brilliant light flashed in Valentine's prison cell and the young girl's sight was restored. Because of this miracle, Julia, her father, and her family all became believers.THE FIRST VALENTINE
When the Emperor heard about the miracle that had taken place, he gave the order that Valentine should be put to death. On the eve of his martyrdom, Valentine wrote a farewell message to Julia, urging her to continue to stay close to God. He signed this letter, "from your Valentine." This simple letter is believed to be the original Valentine card. It contained a message of unconditional love and devotion to God and grew out of one man's tender surrender of faith, even upon pain of death. Over time the word "Saint" has been dropped from St. Valentine's Day, further obscuring the origins of this special day. Valentine was a man of great faith who sought to serve others and love all who were living in perilous times in desperate need. He was buried outside the Flaminian Gate in Rome where a monument still exists today. This Roman Christian priest lived to give. He understood he was chosen by God, holy and beloved, and he willingly put on a heart of compassion, embracing those God called him to help and serve.
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