The story of Valentine's Day begins in third century Rome, in the year 270 A.D, with a cruel and oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II Gothicus, also known as Claudius the Cruel. The Christian was Valentinus, a Catholic priest who was arrested and beheaded not only for being a Christian, but also because he defied the emperor's decree against marriage and was secretly marrying couples.

The Roman Empire was involved in many bloody and unpopular military campaigns under the rule of Emperor Claudius II and men were not readily joining the Roman Legions. Claudius thought this reluctance was due to the men being unwilling to leave their wives and families so he outlawed marriage and ordered all engagements broken immediately. He also issued a decree that only the Roman gods were to be worshipped, and made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians.

That was when a Catholic priest named Valentinus came to defend love in the empire. He invited young lovers to come to him in secret, where he joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had Valentinus brought to the palace.

The emperor, impressed with the young priests dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the Roman gods, to save him from otherwise certain execution. But Valentinus was on fire with the love of God and dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could make him renounce Christianity. Instead he attempted to convert the emperor. He was sentenced to death.

While in prison awaiting his execution, a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, Asterius, his jailer, a man not excessively harsh natured, asked whether his daughter Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth.

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.

Julia and her father converted to Christianity, and some time after Valentinus' death, both were executed by Claudius in his ongoing Christian persecution. But, for the remainder of Valentinus' days in prison, Julia and the priest's friendship deepened and she brought him food when she came for lessons and delivered messages for him.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God, and he signed it "From your Valentine," a phrase that would live long after its author died.

The next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory, Valentinus was beaten with clubs, stoned, and then beheaded. 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, friendship and hope.

Valentinus became known as the patron saint of lovers, and to celebrate the memory of a saint who valued love and romance, on February 14th, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are exchanged around the world.

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