VALENTINE'S DAY HISTORY
~~~The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in
mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St.
Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and
ancient Roman tradition.
~~~So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this
ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different
saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend
contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.
When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those
with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of
potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied
Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When
Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help
Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and
tortured.
~~~According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine'
greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love
with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him
during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a
letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use
today. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the
most popular saints in England and France.
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