Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentines Day!

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There are at least fifty Christian martyrs named Valentinus (Valentine). The most likely candidate for the original saint was a priest named Valentine who helped other Christians who were being persecuted by Claudius II in third century Rome. Some say this Valentine was arrested because he refused to follow a royal decree not to perform weddings for soldiers. Whatever the actual reason Valentine was arrested, while he was imprisoned, he performed a miracle to restore sight to the jailer's daughter. The jailer converted to Christianity. Nevertheless, Valentine was beaten and beheaded on February 14, 269 AD. Legend has it that before his execution, Valentine wrote a note for the jailer's daughter signed, "from your Valentine". This note may have contributed to our current Valentine's Day customs.

Around 270, Pope Julius I built a Roman church in this Valentine's memory. He is the patron saint of lovers.

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