History of Valentine's Day

February 14 is Valentines Day. Each year people celebrate with candy, flowers, and cards. There is no doubt that this special day in February is a major holiday. Those who celebrate know that is a day devoted to love. Few however know its true origin and meaning.

The name at least for Valentine’s Day comes from Saint Valentine. According to Catholics there appears to have been three St. Valentines. One suffered in Africa. The other two might be the same person. The first is described as the bishop of Interamna. The other was a priest in Rome. The namesake St. Valentine lived around the year 270 AD and was a priest in Rome. During his life, the ruler of Rome was Emperor Claudius II. It is said that during his rule he prevented young men from getting married. He did this because he found that his soldiers, who were away from home for long periods of time, were better if they were not distracted by their wives back at home.

Legend has it that St. Valentine was arrested by Claudius because he was wither helping martyrs or secretly marrying young couples. Whatever the reason, after being apprehended it is that that Valentine wrote to first love letter. Apparently during his time in jail, he fell in love with the jailers daughter and wrote her a letter. Consequently, the first Valentine card. Valentine was beaten and then beheaded for his actions. Therefore, becoming a martyr and saint and creating the story of the St. Valentine.

The reason we know about St. Valentine today is because of records and evidence that have been preserved through time. The story of St. Valentine was recorded in martyrologies and biographies. Included in these texts was the date of his death assumed to be around mid February. Other information included was the site of his burial at Flaminian Way. Additionally it is known that the site of his relics is at the church of St. Praxedes.

How a holiday coupled with love was derived out of the death of a 3rd century priest has its own unique history. The connection of St. Valentine and the present holiday seems to come from the association of the date of the saints death and a pagan Roman festival. The festival was called the feast of Lupercalis or Lupercalia. The festival was apparently a celebration of love. Another possible connection between the saint and love is the belief that birds mate in the middle of February. The date at least was solidified in 496 when “Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14 to be the feast day of two Roman martyrs, both named Saint Valentine”. From that day on the priest from Rome was forever linked to the holiday of love and the namesake will always be traced back to Saint Valentine.