Saint Valentine
The figure of Saint Valentine inevitably brings to mind associations with love, romance and relationships. Today he is celebrated chiefly as the patron saint of lovers and couples. In fact, many historians believe that there were at least three different persons by the name of Saint Valentine in the past. However, this proved to be no hindrance to commemorate all of them collectively on February 14 and turn the thoughts of many to them as the patrons of lovers.
Before February 14 became known as St. Valentine’s Day, it was part of a pagan Roman festival Lupercalia whose purpose was to cherish fertility and the pairing of young girls and boys. The celebration proved to be so popular that it prevailed long after Christianity was established in Rome. Then, it was removed from the calendar by Pope Gelasius who replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day to honour the memory of the martyred bishop.
The Saint Valentine in question turned out to have had a lot in common with the topic of love and romance. He is mainly remembered for performing secret marriage ceremonies in the times when getting married was forbidden. The ban on marriage was passed by Emperor Claudius II who believed that unmarried men performed better as soldiers. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, he was arrested and sentenced to death. The execution was held on February 14, about 270 AD. It is believed that during the time he spent in prison before his death, he grew close to a daughter of the jailor. On the day of the execution he sent her a farewell note which he signed “From Your Valentine”.
The name of Saint Valentine appears also in connection with a bishop of Interrama. He was the first person to bless a marriage between a pagan man and a Christian woman. He was persecuted for his attempts to Christianize pagans and eradicate their customs. Like Saint Valentine of Rome, he was martyred and killed on February 14.
Today, February 14 is celebrated as the holiday of love and romance in honour of Saint Valentine and his deeds. Lovers in many countries of the world exchange love tokens, special gifts and love cards called “Valentines”.