The most popular legend traces back the history of Valentine's Day to the Christian martyr St. Valentine. St. Valentine was a priest who served Rome during the third-century reign of Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor outlawed marriage for young men; according to him, single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. Realizing the injustice of the decree, Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers and united them through secret societies. As a consequence of his actions, he was exiled around 270 AD.As per official records, in 496 AD., Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as an official holiday, in the name of St. Valentine. This remained a Church holiday until 1969, when Pope Paul VI removed it from the Church's calendar. The religious meaning associated with Valentine's Day roots have allowed it to continue as a holiday.
Another well-known tale is that Valentine fell in love with a young maiden who was blind. She might have been the jailor's daughter. Valentine's love for her, and his great faith, managed to miraculously heal her from her blindness. And before his death execution, he sent a letter to her including the popular line, "From your Valentine." This expression continues to be the popular lingo of Valentine's Day, even today.
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