Valentine was a priest that was illegally marrying young couples - the law prohibited soldiers from marrying so they wouldn't be "distracted" in their duties. When he was caught, he was arrested and eventually executed for the crimes, supposedly on February 14...
so he could marry her
Valentine's Day goes as far back as 270 AD and came from celebrations from ancient Christian and Romans. One legend tells that the holiday began from the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration, but when Christianity took over pagan holidays were renamed for early Christians martyrs. In 496 AD the pope turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day. He proclaimed that it was to honor of Saint Valentine a Roman martyr from the 3rd century. According to the Catholic encyclopedia there were three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. One was a priest in Rome and another was a bishop in Terri. Nothing is known about the third except he died in Africa. The story of Saint Valentine is about a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in Claudius II who banned marriage for young men. He felt that marriage made men weak and Valentine was arrested for performing the marriages and excecuted. Thus, February 14 became a day for lovers and was annually observed by young Romans. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14 and the image of birds became the symbol of lovers in poems dedicated to the day. By the 18th century Valentines Day had become common in England and handmade Valentine cards, ribbons, and hearts were created. This spread to the American colonies, but it wasn't until 1840 that greeting cards were sold in the United States.
According to legend, it was because he wouldn't convert to Paganism, but other legends say it was because he refused to stop performing marriages.
because he was helping people get married
so he could marry her
Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus ordered that Valentine be arrested and executed.
Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus ordered Valentine arrested, tortured and executed.
Valentine was a priest that was illegally marrying young couples - the law prohibited soldiers from marrying so they wouldn't be "distracted" in their duties. When he was caught, he was arrested and eventually executed for the crimes, supposedly on February 14...
The Roman Emperor, Claudius II Gothicus, was having problems raising an army as Roman law forbade drafting married men. He decided to outlaw marriage to get around this problem. Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested and thrown into prison where he was tortured and beheaded.
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus made marriage illegal in the Roman Empire because he needed to raise an army and could not draft married men. Valentine continued to wed couples in secret. Claudius learned of it and had him arrested, tortured and beheaded.
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus made marriage illegal because he needed to raise an army and the law prevented him from drafting married men to serve. Valentine continued to marry couples secretly until Claudius found out and had him arrested, tortured and beheaded.
Emperor Claudius II Gothicus needed to raise an army. However, he could not draft married men. He decided to outlaw any future marriage ceremonies so that there would be available men to draft. Valentine continued to marry couples in secret until Claudius learned about it and had Valentine arrested, tortured and beheaded.
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus needed to raise an army and he could not draft married men. To solve the problem he ordered that all marriage ceremonies be stopped. Valentine continued to marry betroted couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested, tortured and beheaded.
Claudius II
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus made marriage illegal because he could not draft married men into the army. Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. The emperor learned of this and had Valentine arrested, tortured and beheaded.
Saint Valentine was a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius thought soldiers fought better if they did not have wife's and children so he forbid marriage. He then had Valentine jailed for defying him when Valentine ignored the law and continued to perform marriages in secret. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.