I posted this story on Valentine’s Day 2017. Somehow I don’t have a reblog button, so I repost it.
One common story about St. Valentine is that at one point in his life, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia, and Amelia, he was under house arrest with Judge Asterius. While discussing religion and faith with the Judge, Valentine pledged the validity of Jesus. The judge immediately put Valentine and his faith to the test.
St. Valentine was presented with the judge’s blind daughter and told to restore her sight. If he succeeded, the judge vowed to do anything for Valentine. Placing his hands onto her eyes, Valentine restored the child’s vision.
Judge Asterius was humbled and obeyed Valentine’s requests. Asterius broke all the idols around his house, fasted for three days and became baptized, along with his family and entire 44 member household. The now faithful judge then freed all of his Christian inmates.
St. Valentine was later arrested again for continuing to try to convert people to Christianity. He was sent to Rome under the emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius II). St. Valentine refused to renounce his faith and Christianity and was executed outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 269.
Another variation of the legend of St. Valentine says he refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, was imprisoned and while imprisoned he healed the jailer’s blind daughter. On the day of his execution, he left the girl a note signed, “Your Valentine.”
The romantic nature of Valentine’s Day may have derived during the Middle Ages when it was believed that birds paired couples in mid-February. Although the exact origin of the holiday is not widely agreed upon, it is widely recognized as a day for love, devotion, and romance.
Whoever he was, Valentine did really exist, because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to St. Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.
In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church removed St. Valentine from the General Roman Calendar, because so little is known about him. However, the church still recognizes him as a saint, listing him in the February 14 spot of Roman Martyrology.
Neat info. Yes, I too have learned of him as a martyr who was tortured and killed, even in the Lutheran church. Interesting how events change, along with names and language. Still, his name going from a martyr who died terribly to a Saint of Love/Cupid etc. Is kind of odd, looking back. I’m trying to think of when Constantine ruled Christians couldn’t be killed anymore for practicing their religion. I can’t recall at this hour if it was b4 or after 200 AD? But then again, he didn’t convert to Christianity until his death bed, or declare or support Christisnity as the religion of Rome until much later as a ruler.
I just did a quick Google check: Constantine’s decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church in 313 AD.The emperor became a great patron of the Church. He is revered as a saint and isapostolos in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and various Eastern Catholic Churches for his example as a “Christian monarch.”
Interesting history.
February 14 is now the Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius on the general calendar. Glad to hear that Valentine is still respected and venerated among the martyrs.
The Showers of Blessings 
That is great info, Miriam. Thank you for sharing.
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You’re welcome, Pranitha!
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I knew only the first version of the story. Thanks for this well-researched and interesting post…. 🙂
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Yes, I read the other version about the hearts. 🙂
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Neat info. Yes, I too have learned of him as a martyr who was tortured and killed, even in the Lutheran church. Interesting how events change, along with names and language. Still, his name going from a martyr who died terribly to a Saint of Love/Cupid etc. Is kind of odd, looking back. I’m trying to think of when Constantine ruled Christians couldn’t be killed anymore for practicing their religion. I can’t recall at this hour if it was b4 or after 200 AD? But then again, he didn’t convert to Christianity until his death bed, or declare or support Christisnity as the religion of Rome until much later as a ruler.
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I just did a quick Google check: Constantine’s decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church in 313 AD.The emperor became a great patron of the Church. He is revered as a saint and isapostolos in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and various Eastern Catholic Churches for his example as a “Christian monarch.”
Interesting history.
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Yes for sure. 🙂
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Yap!
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February 14 is now the Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius on the general calendar. Glad to hear that Valentine is still respected and venerated among the martyrs.
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Yes, at least the name remains the same, whether people remember the martyrs or not!
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Intriguing!
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Yes…
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