The History of Valentines Day

Every February 14, for about 1700 years, people have remembered St. Valentine, a man who died because he was in love. St. Valentine was a believer in Jesus Christ near Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time, the Roman Emperor, Claudius II, was imprisoning Christians for not worshipping the Roman gods.

From the moment Valentine became a Christian, until he was murdered, the threat of death and terrifying torture dangled over his neck every day. But nothing could stop him. He was in love with his Savior. With innocent Christians suffering unspeakable horrors, dying like flies around him, he was unfazed by the question as to why a God of love would allow such things.

In the times in which he lived, multiplied thousands were tortured to death. Rather than compromise, they chose to endure indescribable agonies, because each of them was in love - with the same person. Jesus.

During this persecution Valentine was arrested. (Some historical accounts report he was arrested because he was performing Christian marriages, but others say it was for helping Christians escape prison.)

One year after his imprisonment, Valentine appeared before the Emperor and attempted to convert him to Christianity. The Emperor was so impressed with Valentines' dignity that he tried to save him by converting him to the Roman gods

During the trial they asked Valentine what he thought of the Roman gods. Of course Valentine said they were false gods made of wood and stone and that the God that Jesus called Father was the only true God. So the Romans threw him in prison for insulting the Roman gods. While in prison, Valentine continued to minister. He witnessed to the prison guards.

One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and laid hands on her and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. Because these people had come to know Jesus, Valentine praised God there in his prison cell!

When the emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he had Valentine beheaded. On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote a last note to the Jailers daughter, a simple Gospel message, and he signed it, "From your Valentine."

His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 AD, near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried in what is now the Church of Praxedes, in Rome.

Valentine knew that he might get caught in his Christian activities. He knew that if he told the court the truth about the Roman gods that he would be thrown back into prison. And he knew that if he continued to witness about Jesus Christ in the prison he would make his captors angry. But he continued, because he loved the Lord and his fellow humans. He was willing to risk his life to free the prisoners and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who needed to hear it.

The Bible Says: "Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) God showed us this love by coming in Christ to die for our sins. And St. Valentine demonstrated this love when he died for his friends. This is the kind of love that Valentine's Day is really about.

As we remember those we love on this day, let us also remember the One who loved us first. The Lover of our Souls, Jesus our Messiah!

Happy Valentines Day!