St. Valentine

Every February the 14Th, all around the world, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Valentine's Day had always been the day of romance, but have you ever wonder who that mysterious saint is?

A legend once said that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.
Claudius, the Roman Emperor, felt that single men were better soldiers than those who were marries. So the emperor outlawed marriage for young men who were potential soldiers. Pasteur Valentine reliased the injustice rule made by the emperor, and so he decided to marry those young men to they're loved ones secretly. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to the legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself while he ws in prison. It was believed that Valentine had fallen in love with a young lady who was the jail's guard's daugther. She often visted him during his imprisonment.

Before Valentine's death, it was alleged that he wrote her a letter, which was signed, 'From your Valentine', which was ritten on the 14Th of Febuary. An expression that is used until today.

Although the truth behind Valentine's legends are murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, brave, and, most importantly a truely romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.