The Legend of Saint Valentine: The Origin of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a well-known day of love celebrated worldwide. However, do you know the story behind this romantic holiday? In this article, we will explore the legend of Saint Valentine, the origin of Valentine’s Day, and how it all began.

The Origin of Valentine’s Day

The legend of Saint Valentine takes us back to ancient Rome in the 3rd Century. Rome was in turmoil then, with many Romans converting to Christianity. Emperor Claudius II, a strict ruler and a pagan was unhappy with this conversion and wanted to stop it. One priest, Saint Valentine, attracted the Emperor’s disfavor by helping fellow Christians.

The Ban on Marriage

During this time, the Roman Empire was in danger and faced threats from inside and outside its borders. Among all the reasons for the inability of the Roman army to defend the Empire effectively, one stood out to the Emperor. He believed that marriages were causing distractions among the soldiers. As a result, he decided to ban soldiers from getting married as it was making them weak and straying them from their path of battling for the Empire.

The Secret Marriage Ceremonies

The ban on marriage came as a shock to the people, and it left them in emotional distress. Then, Saint Valentine decided he would secretly help the soldiers tie the knot and began performing marriage ceremonies in the church. Due to this act of love, Saint Valentine became the angel who helped the emotionally distressed. He also handed out heart-shaped parchment to remind these men of their vows and God’s love.

The Imprisonment and Death of Saint Valentine

However, the knowledge of this secretive mission went into the wrong places and was reported to Emperor Claudius II. This annoyed the Emperor so much that he ordered Saint Valentine to be arrested and locked up in a dungeon in his outrage. But this was just the beginning of another story for Saint Valentine. In jail, the saint was kept, and the Jailer named Asterius noticed Valentine talking and helping the people around him in the dungeon. He also saw how knowledgeable he was and was convinced that Saint Valentine was a man of learning. He started to bring his blind daughter Julia to him in the hope of being healed by him.

Valentine began reading her books about Roman history and gods; this way, she began seeing the world through his eyes. According to some legends, Valentine also eventually healed Julia’s eyesight. Mysterious was so happy that he readily surrendered to Saint Valentine and took up his faith, Christianity. Soon this news spread like fire, and the gods learned about the activities in the dungeon. The Pagan Emperor was informed about the ongoings inside his own Castle’s Dungeons and how Valentine worked his charm over the Jailer. The enraged Emperor immediately sentenced Saint Valentine to death.

Food for Thought

In conclusion, Valentine’s Day is not just a day to express love to your significant other. It is also a day to remember the selfless acts of love of Saint Valentine, who risked his life to unite couples in love. It is a day to celebrate love and appreciate those around us who improve our lives. So, this Valentine’s Day, let us remember the legend of Saint Valentine and spread love and joy around us.

Leave a Reply