About Saint Valentine
Originally Valentine's day was Saint Valentine's Day. But how did a saint come to be associated with love and romance? This is his story.
Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred (on Feb. 14th) during the reign of Claudius II. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Roman Pagan law, Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner - until Valentinus tried to convert him - whereupon Claudius condemned him to death. Valentinus was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded.
One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus (by the power of God) restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says that, on the eve of his death, he wrote a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."
I have also heard that the powers that be were especially upset with him because many people became Christian through him and that he married soldiers (when other priests refused), It was illegal to marry soldiers since marrriage was considered a dangerous distraction for them and was believed to contribute to desertions.
I admire Saint Valentine greatly because he knew the risks and continued to do God's work anyway. Marriage is the (voluntary) tie that God loves most and he stood for that. His purity of heart was a beacon light which showed truth to many people. You may be surprised that I, a Muslim, feel this way. You will be even more surprised when I say that Saint Valentine was a Muslim, but Muslim means a person who believes in God and submits to His divine will. Nowadays when people of faith are persecuted throughout the world, there needs to be more people like him.
Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred (on Feb. 14th) during the reign of Claudius II. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Roman Pagan law, Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner - until Valentinus tried to convert him - whereupon Claudius condemned him to death. Valentinus was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded.
One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus (by the power of God) restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says that, on the eve of his death, he wrote a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."
I have also heard that the powers that be were especially upset with him because many people became Christian through him and that he married soldiers (when other priests refused), It was illegal to marry soldiers since marrriage was considered a dangerous distraction for them and was believed to contribute to desertions.
I admire Saint Valentine greatly because he knew the risks and continued to do God's work anyway. Marriage is the (voluntary) tie that God loves most and he stood for that. His purity of heart was a beacon light which showed truth to many people. You may be surprised that I, a Muslim, feel this way. You will be even more surprised when I say that Saint Valentine was a Muslim, but Muslim means a person who believes in God and submits to His divine will. Nowadays when people of faith are persecuted throughout the world, there needs to be more people like him.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Effie Truver on -
Surprised you feel this way? No, because your heart is sold out to peace and there must be a heart full of love and compassion to know that peace is the answer we are all ultimately looking for. I have read this before and saw a reinactment of St. Valentine's story but your interesting side notes are as interesting to read as the story. Thank you for your post.
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