WASHINGTON — That durable romantic Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Many who celebrate the holiday seem at least vaguely aware that it originated as a commemoration of an ancient Christian saint—specifically, St. Valentine. Yet Valentine’s life and history remain somewhat shrouded in myth and mystery. The life and legend of Valentine, Saint, and MartyrThe Catholic Church and the History Channel offer an account of Saint Valentine that many find easy to believe. On February 14, around the year 270 A.D., a holy Roman priest named Valentine was executed by order of Emperor Claudius II. …