Origins of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is considered to have its roots in both Roman and Christian traditions. Archaeologists unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. 

Many different saints were named Valentine.  Three of the saints by that name were executed on February 14, but there is no definite evidence as to which one the celebration has been named after.

In my opinion, the most likely candidate is the temple priest who performed marriages in secret. Emperor Claudius had ruled marriage unlawful for single young men because supposedly they made better soldiers than married men. When Valentine was caught performing such marriages, the emperor ordered his death. He was executed on February 14, 270.

In 496, February 14 was marked as a day of celebration by Pope Gelasius in honor of St. Valentine.

It is also claimed that a celebration was created on this date to ‘christianize’ the ancient Lupercalia festival, celebrated on February 15 in honor of the god Lupercus. It was considered un-Christian because it was a Roman “lottery” system of pairing up men and women. Instead, Pope Gelasius had the young men and women pick the names of saints to emulate for the year. Valentine became the patron of this Church feast.

Notes of affection, which often included Valentine’s name, were sent to young women by young men.

Saint Valentine is the patron saint of love, young people, happy marriages, bee keepers, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, lovers, plague and travelers. In pictures Valentine is represented with birds and roses.