The Legend Of Saint Valentine

THE STORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY BEGINS IN THE THIRD CENTURY WITH AN OPPRESSIVE ROMAN EMPEROR AND A HUMBLE CHRISTIAN MARTYR.
THE EMPEROR WAS CLAUDIUS 11. THE CHRISTIAN WAS VALENTINUS.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. Valentine as refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. Valentinus was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon was condemned to death.

"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you"

Proverbs 9:8

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life, a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind, Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.


"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia said one day. "Yes, my child, He hears each one, " he replied.
"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said. "Oh, Valentinus, I do believe," Julia said intensely. "I do." She knelt and grasped his hand.

They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!" "Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God, and he signed it

"From Your Valentine"

His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, St. Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world.

Happy Valentine's Day!

There are many varying stories of Valentinus and of the original Valentine Story. Remains were found in catacombs bearing the name St. Valentine in the area and time frame referencing this particular individual that I write about.

As Christian's we serve the Lord prayerfully while carefully and wisely investing our lives in others like as confirmed in scripture. Some times we will be greatly blessed while other times we will be heartbroken by insults, mockings or persecution. "With gentleness we are called to correct those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth". "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." We must understand, if others are unwilling to listen to God's word, to take heart. There are others like "Julia" who will listen, bringing joy to our hearts, that we may rejoice with throughout eternity.

It should also be noted that scripture makes it clear that we come to God through Christ alone, not by any other, be on heaven or earth nor of one given a name by mortals of "Saint".

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me~John 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life~John 3:16