The Legacy of Saint Valentine

Who was Saint Valentine?

All told there were approximately 12 men martyred by the name of Valentinus/Valentine over the years (it was pretty popular). General consensus is that the Saint Valentine of the modern holiday is the one who risked his life to help christians to marry in ancient Rome.

This does seem to make some sense as Claudius 2 was ruling at the time and was definitely not a christian. 

Why was he persecuted?

As alluded to above this man was thought to have been either a christian priest or bishop that performed marriages for christians which was likely against Roman law. A more detailed account from another source tells a story of a Roman Priest marrying the young against the emperor's edict. Claudius 2 believed that soldiers were better if unmarried and of a certain youthfulness.

So Valentine became a christian priest and issued marriages under his new church. He was eventually caught and sentenced to a three part death; beating, stoning, and finally, decapitation.

Does modern Valentine's Day have anything to do with this?

The closest link to the modern day holiday is in that this Saint Valentine is considered to be the patron saint of love and happy marriages as well as for beekeeping and epilepsy. 

There is some speculation that the renowned wordsmith Geoffrey Chaucer was responsible for the invention of the holiday as we know it. In 1375 Chaucer wrote a poem which mentioned amorous celebration in connection with the feast day.