In the 3rd century, Emperor Claudius the Goth not only commanded the Roman gods be worshiped, but temporarily forbade marriage, because he believed single men made better soldiers. Legend has it that Valentine, who was a bishop in Italy, risked the Emperor’s wrath by refusing to worship idols and for secretly marring y...oung couples. Saint Valentine was dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and have his head cut off on February 14, 269AD. While awaiting execution, it is said he prayed for the jailers’ sick daughter, who miraculously recovered. He wrote her a note and signed it, “from your Valentine.”
There are actually two St Valentines, the Valentine in your story waa presbyter in Rome. There is also a bishop of Terni, Italy named Valentine who lived around the same time.
If you go
here and do a search for "Valentine" you will be able to read about both of those saints.
