February 14, 2025
Who Was Saint Valentine?
Saint Valentine was an early Christian priest (or possibly a bishop) who lived during the 3rd century AD under the rule of Roman Emperor Claudius II. There are multiple accounts of his life, but the most widely accepted version suggests that Valentine defied the emperor’s orders by secretly performing marriages for young couples.
At that time, Claudius II had banned marriages for young men, believing that single soldiers made better warriors. Valentine, however, saw marriage as a sacred bond and continued to unite couples in holy matrimony. When his actions were discovered, he was arrested and sentenced to death.
The Execution and the Letter of Love
According to legend, while imprisoned, Valentine befriended the jailer’s blind daughter and miraculously restored her sight. Before his execution on February 14, he wrote her a farewell letter, signing it "Your Valentine," a phrase that has endured through history as a symbol of love and devotion.