Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

St. Valentinus (whose name derives from the Latin word meaning "worthy" or "strong") was either a priest or bishop who ministered particularly to persecuted Christians. He was born in Terni, Italy, around AD 226 and was martyred in Rome around AD 269 at age 42 or 43. He is the patron saint of his birth city, and since the Middle Ages has also been associated with a tradition of courtly love. In addition, he is the patron saint of epileptics.

According to church tradition, while Valentinus was under house arrest in the custody of Judge Asterius, he was discussing Jesus and the Christian faith with the judge. As a test, the judge brought his adopted blind daughter to Valentinus, and told him that, if Valentinus could restore the girl's sight, Asterius would do whatever Valentinus asked. Valentinus, praying to God, laid his hands on her eyes and the child's vision was restored. Immediately humbled, the judge asked Valentinus what he should do. Valentinus replied that all of the idols around the judge's house should be broken, and that the judge should fast for three days and then undergo the Christian sacrament of baptism. The judge obeyed and, as a result of his fasting and prayer, freed all the Christian inmates under his authority. The judge, his family, and his forty-four member household of adult family members and servants were baptized.

Valentinus was later arrested again for continuing to evangelize, and was sent to the prefect of Rome, who was the emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius II) himself. Claudius was friendly to him until Valentinus tried to convince Claudius to embrace Christianity, whereupon Claudius refused and condemned Valentinus to death, commanding that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs and beheaded. Valentinus refused and Claudius' command was executed outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 269. This date was first observed as his feast day by the church in AD 496.

An embellishment to this account states that before his execution, Saint Valentine wrote a note to Asterius's daughter signed "from your Valentine", which is said to have inspired the modern custom of sending Valentine's Day cards as expressions of love.

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Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

My short answer includes part of what Tim said:

According to tradition, Valentine was able to heal a blind daughter of a judge, the judge then converting to Christianity after witnessing the miracle. We witness many disciples of Jesus performing miracles in the New Testament (Acts 5:15).

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