Icon of St. Valentine
Today is the Feast Day of St. Valentine. Plenty of confusion exists over his identity due to several early martyrs sharing this name. One of the most popular stories, and the one that relates closely to how we commemerate this day, is the story of the Roman priest martyred as a result of his assistanting Christian couples during a persecution of Christians under the Emperor Claudius. Apparently, they were forbidden to marry, and in order to help them celebrate their love for one another, Valentine married them in secret. He was beheaded for his efforts outside the Flaminian Gate at Rome in the late third century. So, today, as you spend time with your "Valentine," remember the man who gave his life for love.
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