Saint Valentine's Day
by Rev. Robin Dumolin
The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a book entitled "The Nuremberg Chronicle", the great picture book of the fifteenth century, printed in 1493. The text that accompanies the woodcut picture of him states that he was a Roman priest who was a martyr during the reign of Claudius II. The Latin edition of this book states his feast day as March 16, but the German edition that followed declares it to be February 14.
Saint Valentine's actual name was Valentinus. He was said to have demonstrated courage and valor in helping Christian martyrs being persecuted under Emperor Claudius II in Rome, during a time when giving any kind of aid to Christians was considered a crime. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned for this crime.
One year after his imprisonment, Valentinus appeared before the emperor and attempted to convert him to Christianity. The emperor was so impressed with Valentinus' dignity that he tried to save him by converting him to the Roman Gods, asking Valentinus, "wilt thou not abide in amenity and worship idols, and renounce the vain opinion of thy creance?"
Valentinus replied, "Say of thy gods none other thing but that they were men mortal and merchant, and full of odure and evil."
Valentinus was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned and finally beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. After his death, this gate was known as Porta Valentini, later being renamed Porta Popolo.
There is a legend that says while awaiting his execution, he befriended his jailer's blind daughter whose sight he restored to her. According to Alfonso Villiegas, in his book of Saints, "The jailer was Asterios, one of the Emperor's lieutenants. He and his family were converted to Christianity by St. Valentine, and they were condemned to death by Claudius II. Furthermore, according to legend, on the eve of Valentinus' death, he wrote a farewell message to the jailer's daughter and signed it, 'your Valentine'. "
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