Saint Valentine ~ Patron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages

There is not much known about Saint Valentine. Many historians claim that he was a temple priest jailed for helping persecuted Christians during the reign of Claudius. Evidence that Valentine was a real person was excavated under a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine was discovered. Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, where text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth (Claudius II). Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome (this was considered a crime), Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner until Valentinus made a fatal error: he tried to convert the Emperor and thus was condemned to death.

Legend has it, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter. On the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the her, signing it, “From your Valentine.”