Put the Saint back in the Holiday. Give this with the chocolate and flowers!

"The Legend of St Valentine," a sweet vintage image honoring Saint Valentine, for your Valentine. The story is included with the print.

Saint Valentine lived in a very permissive, pagan society. Not only was it hostile to Christians, it was hostile to marriage. The Roman Emperor Claudius II had declared marriage illegal, at least for his soldiers, as the Emperor Augustus had done previously. Some even say that he declared it illegal for all. In any event, Valentinus, a Roman doctor and Catholic priest, upheld the Christian tradition that marriage is a sacred bond between only one man and one woman, and he continued to marry couples secretly after Claudius’s edict.

Valentinus, known to us as Valentine, was arrested. While in jail, the legend goes, he sent letters to Julia, the jailer’s daughter, telling her of the love of God. It is said he wrote on the petals of flowers, patiently bruising them with a pin to make small, careful letters. He would sign them, “Your Valentine.”

He was martyred February 14, 270 A.D. He could have had his life spared if he would have renounced his Christian faith and made an offering to the cult of the Emperor, but he refused. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.

Because of his faithfulness and his teaching on love, people began to speak of any message one sent to a loved one as a “Valentine,” even to this day. Valentine is the patron saint of romantic love, engaged couples, and marriages, of course. Surprisingly, he is also invoked for beekeeping, epilepsy, the plague, fainting, and traveling. (source: History.com)

We spent hours restoring this long out-of-copyright print. It had stains and damage to the original paper. We think it would look charming in a red frame, of course, especially with a matte finish. All our prints are a standard size, so you should have lots of good choices at your local Hobby Lobby or online. If you would like us to frame it for you, convo us,and we'll make special arrangements to get something special you'll like.

Thanks for your interest!

8.5 x 11 acid-free paper with archival ink. The print will last for generations when kept out of the direct sun. There is about an inch-and-a-third of white space around the picture. Cardboard backer. Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.
IMPORTANT!!! The image is smaller than the paper.

Standard size. Easy to find a ready-made frame at your local Hobby Lobby. If you're sending this as a gift and would like us to frame it for you, please convo and we'll make special arrangements for you.

Text and Image Alterations ©  Sue Kouma Johnson

You might also be interested in original Catholic art and jewelry by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, available all over this shop! Thanks!