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N0KFQ > TODAY 14.02.16 16:15l 59 Lines 2311 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 84602_N0KFQ
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Subj: Today in History - Feb 14
Path: IZ3LSV<IW8PGT<I3XTY<I0OJJ<N6RME<N0KFQ
Sent: 160214/1515Z 84602@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65
278
St. Valentine beheaded
On February 14around the year 278A.D., Valentine, a holy priest
in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.
Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many
unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a
strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to
join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were
unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to
their wives and families.
To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and
engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the
decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for
young lovers in secret.
When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that
he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the
Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with
clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out
on February 14, on or about the year 270.
Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a
farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his
friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."
For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his
death.
In truth, the exact origins and identity of St. Valentine are
unclear. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three
different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in
the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." One was a
priest in Rome, the second one was a bishop of Interamna (now
Terni, Italy) and the third St. Valentine was a martyr in the
Roman province of Africa.
Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with
romance. The date of his death may have become mingled with the
Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love. On these
occasions, the names of young women were placed in a box, from
which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. In 496 AD,
Pope Gelasius decided to put an end to the Feast of Lupercalia,
and he declared that February 14 be celebrated as St Valentine's
Day.
Gradually, February 14 became a date for exchanging love
messages, poems and simple gifts such as flowers.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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