In the third century an oppressive Roman emperor, Claudius II, and a humble Christian martyr, Valentinus, created the legend of St. Valentine’s. All Romans were ordered to worship twelve gods, and those who refused were sentenced to death, as was anyone who associated with the Christians. Not even the threat of death could deter the Christ-devoted Valentinus not to worship his God. He was arrested and imprisoned.

During the last weeks of his life, a jailer – seeing that Valentinus was a man of learning – asked Valentinus to teach his daughter, Julia, blind from birth. Valentinus read historical stories, described the world of nature and taught arithmetic and told the pretty young girl about God. “She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom and found comfort in his quiet strength.”

She asked Valentinus if God really did hear their prayers, and he told her God hears every word. She confided that she prayed every night that she might see so that she could personally experience all the wondrous things he had told her about.

“God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him,” Valentinus said. Julia fervently avowed that she did, truly and intensely believe. The two prayed together and suddenly a miracle occurred: there was a brilliant light in the prison cell, and Julia stood up, crying, “I can see! I can see!”

The night before he died, Valentinus wrote Julia a note, urging her to stay close to God, and he signed it, “From your Valentine.”

He was put to death the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate later named Porta Valentini in his memory, and he was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.

Legend has it that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave, and today the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. Today, many centuries later, on Valentine’s Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are exchanged around the world.