Saint Valentine's Day 情人节的由来

2000 years ago, the most powerful army in the world belonged to the Romans. The Romans were so strong that they conquered almost all of Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. But then they began to grow very rich, and a little bit lazy. Life in the army was harsh. And many of the soldiers long for the comforts of home. They wanted to get married and set up families. The emperor whose name was Claudius Ⅱ, grew worried that his army was growing soft. And so he made a law that no soldier was allowed to get married. By that time, many of the Romans were Christians. And one of their leaders was a bishop, called Valentine. He believed that if a man and woman fell in love with each other, they should get married. And so he decided to let soldiers get married in his church, even though now it was against the law. The soldiers' weddings were meant to be kept secret. But as you know, all secrets are hard to keep. And soon the word got out. Valentine was arrested and brought before the emperor who demanded that he stop helping soldiers to marry. And instead that he prayed to the gods of Rome. When he refused, the emperor sentenced him to death. While Valentine was in prison, the Jailer's daughter used to bring him his food. She was a young woman who was unfortunately blind. She and Valentine used to spend long hours talking to each other. And soon they fell in love. One day, Valentine put his hand through the bars of the cell and touched the lids of her closed eyes. When she opened them again, she could see. It was a miracle. Valentine's execution was set for 14 the February. On his last night on earth, he wrote his final message to the girl. He signed his love letter "From your Valentine." This took place in the year 270. And ever since lovers have sent each other messages on February 14 with the same signature. 两千年前，世界上最强大的军队属于罗马人。 罗马人非常强大，他们几乎征服了整个欧洲，以及亚洲和非洲的部分地区。 但后来他们开始变得非常富有，并且有点懒惰。 军队生活很艰苦。许多士兵渴望回家的舒适。他们想结婚组建家庭。 这位名叫克劳狄亚斯Ⅱ的皇帝越来越担心他的军队变得软弱。 因此，他制定了一项法律，禁止士兵结婚。 在那个时候，许多罗马人都是基督徒。他们的领袖之一是一位名叫瓦伦丁的主教。 他认为，如果一个男人和一个女人相爱，他们就应该结婚。 所以他决定让士兵在他的教堂结婚，尽管现在这是违法的。 士兵们的婚礼本应保密。 但你也知道，所有的秘密都很难保守。消息很快就传开了。 瓦伦丁被逮捕并带到皇帝面前，皇帝要求他停止帮助士兵结婚。 相反，他向罗马诸神祈祷。 当他拒绝时，皇帝判处他死刑。 瓦朗蒂娜在监狱里的时候，狱卒的女儿常常给他送食物。 她是一个不幸失明的年轻女子。 她和瓦伦丁过去常常花很长时间互相交谈。很快他们就相爱了。 一天，瓦朗蒂娜把手伸进牢房的栅栏，摸了摸她闭着的眼皮。 当她再次睁开眼睛时，她看到了。这是一个奇迹。 瓦伦丁的死刑定于2月14日执行。 在他在地球上的最后一个晚上，他给那个女孩写了最后的信息。 他在情书上签上了“你的情人”。 这件事发生在公元270年。 从那以后，情侣们会在2月14日用相同的签名互发信息。