Saint Valentine the Presbyter
of Rome.

Saint Valentine's early life and family background are not recorded in surviving historical documents. What is known is that he was a member of the Roman Christian community during a time of intense persecution. During the reign of the emperor Claudius II (268-270), the Holy Martyrs Valentinus the Presbyter, Martha, Marinus, Audifax, Habakkuk, Cyrenus, Asterius and many others were at Rome, a time when fierce persecutions and executions befell the Roman Church.

The priest Polycarp baptized Tranquillinus with his relatives and friends, and Saint Gaius ordained Tranquillinus as a presbyter. The Bishop of Rome at this time was Saint Gaius (August 11). As an ordained presbyter, Valentine devoted himself to pastoral ministry during a period of severe persecution.

Saint Valentine lived in Rome in the third century and was a priest who helped the martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Claudius II the Goth, and his great virtue and catechetical activities became known. He engaged in the sacramental work of the priesthood and provided spiritual encouragement to Christians facing arrest and martyrdom.

The great virtue and catechetical activities of the Saint had become known, and for this he was arrested and brought before the imperial court. According to tradition, when brought before Emperor Claudius II, Valentine boldly proclaimed the Christian faith and urged the emperor to repent and embrace Christ. His refusal to deny his faith sealed his fate.

The priest Tranquillinus was the next to suffer: pagans pelted him with stones at the grave of the holy Apostle Peter, and his body was also thrown into the Tiber. He was beheaded between 268 and 270 and also buried on the Via Flaminia, although somewhat further from Rome.

July 6 is the date on which the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the Roman presbyter Valentine. The Eastern Orthodox Church continues to honor his memory as a witness to Christ and a defender of Christian marriage and the sanctity of the family. Valentine the Presbyter would become notable in the historical memory of Christians, originally both Eastern and Western, as a courageous steward of marriage.

At present the relics of the presbyter Valentine repose partly in Rome and partly in Dublin. The relics of St Valentinus are in the Church of the holy Martyr Paraskeva. His veneration in the Orthodox Church stands as a testimony to the faithfulness of the early martyrs and the Church's continuing honor for those who remained steadfast unto death.

Saint Valentine the Presbyter of Rome was a third-century Christian priest and martyr whose steadfast faith and pastoral ministry made him a celebrated figure in the early Church. Saint Valentine lived in Rome in the third century and was a priest who helped the martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Claudius II the Goth, and his great virtue and catechetical activities became known.

The priest Polycarp baptized Tranquillinus with his relatives and friends, and Saint Gaius ordained Tranquillinus as a presbyter. As a presbyter of the Roman church during one of the most dangerous periods of Christian history, Valentine devoted himself to aiding persecuted believers and ministering to those imprisoned for their faith.

Saint Valentine lived in Rome in the third century and was a priest who helped the martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Claudius II the Goth. His courageous pastoral work and vocal advocacy for the Christian faith drew the attention of imperial authorities. Rather than compromise his convictions, Valentine boldly proclaimed the Gospel even before the emperor himself.

The priest Tranquillinus was the next to suffer: pagans pelted him with stones at the grave of the holy Apostle Peter, and his body was also thrown into the Tiber. His martyrdom occurred during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, a time of intense persecution when many Christians were arrested, tortured, and executed for their faith.

Though historical records regarding Saint Valentine are incomplete, the Eastern Orthodox Church venerates his memory as a model of apostolic faithfulness and steadfast martyrdom in defense of Christ and the sanctity of Christian marriage.