Valentine's Day Legend

One of the Valentine's day legends says that emperor Claudius III had ordered all Christians to worship to the twelve gods, and had declared that the association with the Christianity was a death punishable crime. Valentine had been devoted to the ideals of Christ and even death couldn't stop him from practicing his beliefs. Valentin was arrested and sent to prison.

Something amazing happened during the last weeks of his life. The jailer, having seen that Valentine was a wise man, requested a permission for teaching his daughter. She was a beautiful blind young girl.

Valentine was reading stories of Roman history, teaching math and speaking of God. She saw the world through his eyes.

One day she asked him, if it was a true that God listens to our prayers. He replied that God listens to each and every one of our prayers and always does what's best for us, if we believe in Him.

She said that she really believes in God and her only prayer was to be able to see the world. They sat together, praying. Suddenly, a bright light illuminated the cell at the prison. The girl exclaimed, - "Valentin, I can see, I see!"

He exclaimed: "Glory to God!" On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote one last letter to the girl asking her to be close to God. He signed the letter: "From Your Valentine". He was executed the following day, 14th of February 270, Valentines day, near a door that later was named Valentine Gate to honor his memory.

The legend says that the girl planted a pink flowers almond tree next to Valentine's grave.
Today, the almond tree is a symbol of lasting love and friendship.