by M. Bustamante-Navarro

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: February 14, 2009

February 14, Valentine's Day, or St. Valentine's Day is a holiday named after two Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day is associated with Valentine who wrote a note to his young love. It is said that it is also associated with Chaucer who wrote a poem to young royalty who would be married at a very young age.

The Roman Catholic Church has recognized two Valentine's, to which the holiday is celebrated. Valentine of Terni was a bishop in 197 AD killed during Emperor Aurelian's era. His burial was in Viag Flaminia. Another Valentine was of Rome, he was a priest who suffered martyrdom in AD 269, he to was buried in Via Flaminia. These two maytys were never linked to any romance, unlike St. Valentine during the Emperor Claudius II era.

During the medieval time, legend was that Roman Emperor Claudius II ordered that no young soldier should marry, for he thought married men didn't make great soldiers. Valentine being a priest refused the law given by the Emperor, and married young soldiers in secret. Emperor Claudis II ordered Valentine to be put in jail, and wait for his execution. As he waited for his life to end, a jailer asked Valentine to heal his daughter of blindness, he became involved with the young girl. Before his execution he wrote a note to her that said "From your Valentine." Modern America still uses that phrase.

Another legend is that St. Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and Emperor Claudius II wanted him to convert to Roman paganism to be spared of his life. Since St. Valentine refused, he was executed, he also healed the blind jailer's daughter. Another theory is that Valentine's Day was associated with Lupercalia era of Ancient Rome. It was said that they observed the days February 13 through 15, as a rite to fertility. A festival in Rome was given for Lupercalia. Another festival known as Juno Februa, or Juno the Purifier, celebrated on February 13-14.

Claims have been reported that the first recorded Valentine's Day linked to Chaucer in the Parliament of Foules (1382). These claims may have been misleading for Chaucer wrote "For this was on seynt volantynys Day, When euery bryd comyth there to chese his make." This was a poem Chaucer wrote for the marriage of Anne of Bohemia and King Richard II of england. Both children were married at a very young age 13 and 14 years old. People believe that Chaucer in his poem was referring to Valentine's Day February 14.

No matter what the legend may be everyone around the world seems to be celebrating St. Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day. Lovers and friends celebrate by giving a Valentine card, chocolates, jewelry, and gifts.

References

1. WWW.Valentine of Rome.com

2. WWW.Valentine of Terni.com

3. WWW.Chaucer.com

4. WWW. St. Valentine's Day: Legend of the Saint.com

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