Saint Valentine Day - St. Valentine’s Day Is Celebrated on February 14 Every Year Across the World by the Exchange of Romantic or Comic Verse Messages - Saintvalentine.
Valentine's Day, celebrated every year on February 14th, is a global occasion dedicated to expressing love and affection. It's a day when people exchange romantic or humorous messages, often called "Valentines," along with gifts like flowers and chocolates, all in honor of Saint Valentine.
Who Was Saint Valentine?
Saint Valentine is often depicted with birds and roses, and he is considered the patron saint of many, including:
- Engaged and married couples
- Lovers and young people
- Beekeepers and travelers
- Those suffering from epilepsy, fainting, or the plague
The most widely known story portrays Valentine as a kind-hearted priest in Rome during the third century A.D. At that time, Emperor Claudius II, seeking to build a large army, believed that married men were less willing to join the military. To prevent this, he issued a decree banning all engagements and marriages.
Valentine, however, defied the Emperor's unjust law. Believing in the sanctity of love and marriage, he continued to perform wedding ceremonies for young couples in secret. These discreet unions often took place in small, candlelit rooms with only the bride, groom, and Valentine present.
Eventually, Valentine was caught performing a marriage and imprisoned. He was sentenced to death, a fate he reportedly accepted without dismay. During his imprisonment, many young people visited him, throwing flowers and notes through his window to show their support for his belief in love. Among his visitors was the prison guard's daughter, who would spend hours talking with him, offering comfort and support.
On February 14, 269 A.D., the day he was to be executed, Valentine left a farewell note for the guard's daughter, thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. The note concluded with the now-famous phrase: "Love from your Valentine." This heartfelt message is believed to have started the tradition of exchanging love notes on Valentine's Day.
What Are the Origins of Valentine's Day?
The exact origins of Saint Valentine and the holiday remain somewhat mysterious, with several legends contributing to the story. Some believe Valentine was a Roman man martyred for refusing to renounce his Christian faith. Others suggest he was a temple priest imprisoned for defying Emperor Claudius II.
Despite the historical ambiguities, evidence such as a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine suggests his existence. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three different Saint Valentines, all of whom were martyrs, mentioned in early martyrologies under the date of February 14th.
Two of these saints are believed to have lived in the third century A.