Difference between revisions of "St. Valentine"
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| − | '''St. Valentine''' (birthdate unknown; d. February 14, 269) [[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 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) [[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. |
==Legend== | ==Legend== | ||
Revision as of 19:41, February 14, 2009
St. Valentine (birthdate unknown; d. February 14, 269) 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.
Contents
Legend
While under house arrest of judge Asterius, he was discussing the validity of Jesus's claims. Asterius put Valentine to a test and brought to him his adopted blind daughter. If Valentine succeeded in restoring the girls sight, Asterius would do anything he asked. St. Valentine laid his hands on her eyes and miraculously her vision was restored. Asterius asked what he should do for Valentine. Valentine said small idols around the house should be broken, fast for three days, and undergo baptism. Asterius freed the Christian inmates, he and his family plus forty other were baptized. [1] It was soon after that all were rounded up and killed, including St. Valentine. Another legend says on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, "From your Valentine."
Circumstances Under Roman Authority
Valentine was a priest of Rome that spoke with courage regarding his faith in Jesus. At the time, the Roman Empire officially sanctioned the worship of pagan Roman gods. This would lead to challenges, confrontation and eventually Valentine's arrest. St. Valentine's official charge against him was marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius, a Roman crime. His strength to proclaim and refusal to deny Christ ultimately led to his death. Emperor Claudius fearing rebellion, ordered Valentine beaten with clubs then beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate, Feb. 14th. [2]
Relics
A Church was built in his honor by Pope Julius I (337-352) at Porta del Popolo, Rome which was once called the the Gate of Valentine. St. Valentine's relics were found and exhumed from a Roman catacomb in 1836. They now reside in Dublin, Ireland at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church.
Feast
The Roman Catholic church still celebrates St. Valentine's feast day. In 1969, his commemoration was removed from the General Calendar.
Patron Saint
- Love
- Young People
- Happy Marriages
References
- ↑ The Book of Saints by Rodney Castleden
- ↑ St. Valentine Catholic Online
