The Legend of ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

The Legend of ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

February 14th has long been a day
for love and romance.
In ancient Rome,
it was the day on which young men chose their sweethearts
for the Spring Festival.
But the day takes its current name and inspiration
from an early Christian priest named Valentine,
whose dedication to love and lovers
made him the enemy of the
Roman Emperor Claudius II.

Claudius, fearing that married men
would be unwilling to leave their homes
and become soldiers,
issued a decree forbidding anyone to marry
or become engaged.
But Valentine took pity on the young lovers
separated by the decree and secretly married them.
For this, he was arrested and sentenced to death.

While in prison,
Valentine befriended the blind daughter
of one of his jailers.
Through Valentine's prayers,
the girl miraculously regained her sight.
Valentine is said to have written a farewell note
to the girl, signed "From Your Valentine."
It is because of this
that tender Valentine notes are sent on
St. Valentine's Day,
a day devoted to celebrations of
love and romance.