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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 II Gothicus. The Christian was
Valentinus.
Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship state religion's idols, 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.
During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened. One day a jailer
for the Emperor of Rome knocked at Valentinus's door clutching his
blind daughter in his arms. He had learned of Valentinus's medical
and spiritual healing abilities, and appealed to Valentinus to
treat his daughter's blindness. She had been blind since birth.
Valentinus knew that her condition would be difficult to treat but
he gave the man his word he would do his best. The little girl was
examined, given an ointment for her eyes and a series of re-visits
were scheduled.
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Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might also
be brought to Valentinus for lessons.
Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentinus read stories of Rome's history
to her. He described the world of nature 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 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.
Several weeks passed and the
girl's sight was not restored. Yet the man and his daughter never
wavered in their faith and returned each week.
Then one day, Valentinus
received a visit from Roman soldiers who arrested him, destroyed
his medicines and advised him against his religious beliefs. When
the little girl's father learned of his arrest and imprisonment,
he wanted to intervene but there was nothing he could do.
On the eve of his death,
Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia - knowing his execution was
imminent. Valentinus asked the jailer for a paper, pen and ink. He
quickly jotted a farewell note and handed it to the jailer to give
to his blind daughter. He urged 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.
When the jailer went home, he
was greeted by his little girl. The little girl opened the note
and discovered a yellow crocus inside. The message said,
From your Valentine.
As the little girl looked down
upon the crocus that spilled into her palm she saw brilliant
colors for the first time in her life! The girl's eyesight was
restored!
A miracle!
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. In 496 Pope
Gelasius named February 14 as
Saint Valentine's Day.
On each Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are
still exchanged around the world.
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