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[[Image:Stval.jpg|right|thumb| A Statue of St. Valentine]]

[[Image:Stval.jpg|right|thumb| A Statue of St. Valentine]]

'''St. Valentine''' (birthdate unknown; d. February 14, 269) was the [[Christian]] ([[Catholic]]) Bishop of Terni who was persecuted and martyred by Roman Emperor Claudius II (Gothicus) for refusing to give up his [[Christian]] faith. In 496, Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as "[[Saint Valentine's Day]]," a celebration in honor of his martyrdom. St. Valentine became well known for the way he cared for others.

'''St. Valentine''' (birthdate unknown; d. February 14, 269) was the [[Christian]] ([[Catholic]]) Bishop of Terni who was persecuted and martyred by Roman Emperor Claudius II (Gothicus) for refusing to give up his [[Christian]] faith. In 496, Pope Gelasius marked February 14 as "[[Saint Valentine's Day]]," a celebration in honor of his martyrdom. St. Valentine became well known for the way he cared for others.

==Identity==

==Identity==

There are several disagreements regarding who exactly "Saint Valentine" was. Regardless, we know for certain that Valentine existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his [[martyrdom]].

There are several disagreements regarding who exactly "Saint Valentine" was. Regardless, we know for certain that Valentine existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14 as a celebration in honor of his [[martyrdom]].

==Commonly Accepted Identity and Testimony==

==Commonly Accepted Identity and Testimony==

The man commonly referred to as Saint Valentine is acknowledged by the Church to be the former Bishop of [[Terni]], a city in southern [[Umbria]], in what is now central [[Italy]]. While under house arrest of judge Asterius, and discussing his faith with him, Valentinus (the Roman/Latin pronunciation of his name) was discussing the validity of [[Jesus]]. The judge put Valentinus to the test and brought to him the judge's adopted blind daughter. If Valentinus succeeded in restoring the girl's sight, Asterius would do anything he asked. Valentinus laid his hands on her eyes and the child's vision was restored. Immediately humbled, The judge asked Valentinus what he should do. Valentinus replied that all of the [[idol]]s around the judge's house should be broken, the judge should fast for three days, and then be [[baptized]]. The judge obeyed and as a result, freed all the [[Christian]] inmates under his authority. The judge, his family and forty others were baptized. <ref>The Book of Saints by Rodney Castleden</ref> Unfortunately, later Valentinus was arrested again for continuing to serve Jesus and was sent to the prefect of Rome, to the emperor Claudius himself. Claudius took a liking to him until Valentinus tried to lead Claudius to Jesus, whereupon Claudius refused and condemned Valentinus to death. Commanding that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs, and beheaded. Valentinus refused and Claudius' command was executed outside the [[Flaminian Gate]] on February 14, 269.<ref>http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159</ref>

The man commonly referred to as Saint Valentine is acknowledged by the Church to be the former Bishop of [[Terni]], a city in southern [[Umbria]], in what is now central [[Italy]]. While under house arrest of judge Asterius, and discussing his faith with him, Valentinus (the Roman/Latin pronunciation of his name) was discussing the validity of [[Jesus]]. The judge put Valentinus to the test and brought to him the judge's adopted blind daughter. If Valentinus succeeded in restoring the girl's sight, Asterius would do anything he asked. Valentinus laid his hands on her eyes and the child's vision was restored. Immediately humbled, The judge asked Valentinus what he should do. Valentinus replied that all of the [[idol]]s around the judge's house should be broken, the judge should fast for three days, and then be [[baptized]]. The judge obeyed and as a result, freed all the [[Christian]] inmates under his authority. The judge, his family and forty others were baptized.<ref>The Book of Saints by Rodney Castleden</ref> Unfortunately, later Valentinus was arrested again for continuing to serve Jesus and was sent to the prefect of Rome, to the emperor Claudius himself. Claudius took a liking to him until Valentinus tried to lead Claudius to Jesus, whereupon Claudius refused and condemned Valentinus to death. Commanding that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs, and beheaded. Valentinus refused and Claudius' command was executed outside the [[Flaminian Gate]] on February 14, 269.<ref>http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159</ref>

==Archeology==

==Archeology==