Saint Valentine
There are at least three different Saint Valentines who were condemned to death because of their Christian beliefs mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of February 14th. One appears to have been a priest who suffered death during the persecution of Emperor Claudius II Gothicus around 269A.D. One is thought to have been a bishop of Interamna, who may have been beheaded in Rome. Interamna is now known as Terni as is approximately 60 miles from Rome. The third Saint Valentine is said to have suffered in Africa along with a number of companions. Nothing further is known about this third Saint Valentine.
Bishop
Saint Valentine was born in Terni, which was a district under the government of Rome, in approximately 175 A.D. The time of his birth was during the Marcus Aurelius' Empire. Pope St. Victor I, appointed Saint Valentine as bishop of Terni during the year 197 A.D. and of the Christian communities of Nera Valley by St. Feliciano, bishop in Foligno. He lived a righteous life, which was depicted by his passionate pastoral enthusiasm and the wondrous miracles, which were performed by God through him. One such miracle was the instantaneous healing of Cheremone, son of the famous philosopher, Cratone. It was during Emperor Aurelianus' persecution that Placid Furius had Saint Valentine imprisoned. He was beheaded on the 14th of February in Rome, on the Via Flaminia. This is a road, which links the Empire's capital and Terni. In order to avoid riots and acts of revenge by the people of Terni, who had respect and love for Saint Valentine who was their bishop, the execution was carried out during the darkness of night. His body was buried in the cemetery in Via Flaminia. One of his disciples Proculus Efebus Apollonius, took the initiative to exhume his body from the cemetery. Saint Valentine's body was then taken to Terni where his body was buried outside the town walls.
Priest
It was during the third century when the Roman Empire was under the rule of emperor Claudius II Gothicus, also known as Claudius the Cruel, that is was forbidden to practice Christianity or to associate with Christians. Valentine, who was a priest, refused to adhere to the rules of the emperor concerning Christianity. He was dedicated to Christ and continued to practice his beliefs even under the threat of death.
The Roman Empire was engrossed in a number of wars and unaccepted crusades during this period. Emperor Claudius II had great difficulty in convincing men to become soldiers and join his military leagues. He believed this was because they did not wish to leave their loved ones or families. Consequently, he passed a law forbidding any marriages or engagements in Rome. It was during this time that Valentine who was a priest along with St. Marius and his family aided Christians and secretly married couples. Before long Valentine became known as the friend of people throughout Rome. It was due to this that Valentine was arrested and brought before the chief magistrate of Rome. He was sentenced to death by being beaten with clubs and then beheaded. This sentence was to be carried out on the 14th of February, 270A.D.
It was also well known that Valentine had special abilities, which were used in medical and spiritual healing. A jailer for the Emperor of Rome brought his daughter to Valentine and pleaded with him to treat his daughter's blindness. Valentine promised the jailer he would do his best, even though he knew it would be almost impossible to cure. She and Valentine were to become fast friends.
It was during this time that the jailer's daughter was taught by Valentine. She had a quick mind, so he told her stories of Rome's history and taught her about the world of nature. Valentine also taught Julia about God during this time. Because she trusted him and found comfort in his conviction to the Lord, she and her father also came to believe in God and put their trust in God praying to him faithfully every day. Even though she and her father prayed for sight to be restored, she still remained blind after several weeks. Their faith in the Lord never wavered and they continued to believe and pray.
On the eve of his death, Valentine asked the jailer for paper, pen and ink. His last note to the jailer's daughter employed her to continue in her faith and remain close to God. It was signed "From Your Valentine." His executed was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near Flaminian Gate which was later renamed Porta Valentini in his memory. Pope Julius I, is said to have built a basilica near Flaminian Gate in honour of Valentine during the 4th century. During the 7th century Pope Honorius I restored the basilica and it became a popular pilgrimage site.
Upon his return home, the jailer handed his daughter the note from Valentine. When she opened it there was a yellow crocus inside and signed "From you Valentine." It was at this time as she looked at the crocus, she saw luminous colours and realised her eyesight was restored, one last miracle which was performed through Valentine by God's grace.
His remains are buried at what we now know as the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is also thought that the jailer's daughter planted a pink-blossomed almond tree, which even today remains a sign of lingering love and friendship. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius I designated February 14, Saint Valentine's Day as a celebration in honour of Saint Valentine.
Although there have been numerous stories surrounding the life of Saint Valentine and as to whether or not there was more than one, evidence has shown their was at least one. The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in The Nuremberg Chronicle, an illustrated book published in 1493. Archaeologists have also unearthed a Roman catacomb along with an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. Along side a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentine was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth (Claudius II).
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