Valentine's Day is observed on February 14th each year. Candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones all over the world, all in the name of love. But how did this happen? Many stories and myths have been passed down through history about a mysterious man named Saint Valentine, who was the priest in the Catholic Church back in the day.
We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains elements of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
Valentine, also known as Valentinus, is the name of at least three martyred saints in the Catholic Church. Valentine was a third-century Roman priest, according to mythology. Emperor Claudius II prohibited young men from marrying because he believed single men made better soldiers than married men with families. Despite the injustice of Claudius' decree, Valentine disobeyed him and continued to arrange secret weddings for young lovers. After Valentine's actions were revealed, Claudius ordered his execution. Others argue that the true inspiration for the holiday was Bishop Saint Valentine of Terni. Claudius II also had him beheaded outside of Rome.
According
to legend, Valentine was assassinated for attempting to aid Christians in their
escape from harsh Roman prisons, where they were frequently beaten and
tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine sent the first
"valentine" greeting after falling in love with a young girl,
possibly his jailor's daughter, who visited him while he was imprisoned. It is
said that before his death, he wrote her a letter signed "From your
Valentine," an expression that is still used today. Despite the fact that
the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his
appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.
Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages,
possibly as a result of this reputation.Saint Valentine
