(with thanks to Google web)
"The
story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive
Roman emperor and a humble Christian Martyr. The emperor was Claudius
II. The Christian was Valentinus.
Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and had made it
a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But
Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ; not even the threat of
death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. He was arrested and
imprisoned.
During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a
remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the
jailer 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 his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.
"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.
"Yes, my child, He hears each one."
"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray
that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me
about!"
"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.
"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!" She knelt and grasped his hand.
They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was a
brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed,
"Valentinus, I can see! I can see!"
"Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.
On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging
her to stay close to God. He signed it, "From your Valentine." His
sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a
gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried
at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia
planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond
tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each
February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and
devotion are exchanged around the world."
