by Barbara Nuzum

Created on: January 25, 2010   Last Updated: January 26, 2010

St. Valentine’s Day has become a synonym for Romantic Love and Goodwill. The number of engagements skyrocket that day, florists are busier than ever, greeting cards are exchanged. Chocolate is a favorite commodity during mid-February. Even young school children look forward to their St. Valentine’s Day parties and arrive that day with their greeting cards. But during all that hustle and bustle, do we ever stop to wonder who St. Valentine was?

Some of our reasons to celebrate the holiday undoubtedly have been lost in history's obscurity, but quite often the roots of legends and myths do find themselves embedded in truth. So let's embark on our journey through history and discover what is truth, probability and just plain fairy tale.

 Around 280 A.D two venerable saints emerge, both named Valentine. One was a Roman priest, the other a bishop from near-by Terni. Some historical accounts suggest that they both lived under the reign of the same Roman emperor, Claudius II, and even were martyred on the same day, February 14. And some historians believe that these two saints actually may be the same person. Historical accounts of their alleged interrogation during their trials do exist, but were not created until much later, therefore this part of history is unproven and seems to be more legend than actual history.

St Valentine of Rome seems to be the more prominent one.  He actively helped the early Christians that were persecuted under Claudius II. This was a turbulent time, and Claudius had his hands full, not only with the new emerging religion, but also with unrest and ill-fated campaigns. It was difficult to fill the ranks of his army. Claudius believed that the Roman men did not want to leave their loved ones, so he prohibited marriages and engagements, thinking this act would eliminate any kind of romantic complications and bolster recruitment. St. Valentine, together with St. Marius, married Christian young couples in secret, against Claudius’ decree banning marriage. Once it was discovered that St Valentine was performing marriage ceremonies and therefore defying the emperor, he was arrested and thrown into jail to await his trial. It is said that Claudius himself interrogated the prisoner and was quite impressed with him. He tried to convince  St. Valentine to renounce Christianity, but instead, being the saint that he was, St. Valentine attempted to convert Claudius to his Christian faith, and so sealed his fate and death sentence. He was executed during the festival of Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrating fertility, on February 14.

While in prison, St. Valentine fell in love with Julia, the blind daughter of his jailer Asterius. St. Valentine is credited with the miracle of restoring her eye sight. He also wrote many letters and notes during his incarceration. Although none seem to have survived, his farewell  letter  to Julia is purported to close with the phrase "From your Valentine”.  And so he created the first Valentine’s Greeting.

Pope Gelasius I abolished the festival of Lupercalia in 496 A.D.  At the same time he established February 14 as the Feast Day of St. Valentine, Patron Saint of all Young Lovers.  And while the pope’s intention most likely was to replace a pagan holiday with a more acceptable Christian festival, to this day St. Valentine’s Day has survived as Love’s special celebration.

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