Every February 14th across the globe, roses, candies, valentine cards, and chocolates are exchanged between the loving souls, all in the name of St. Valentine. Valentine’s Day is specially consecrated to lovers and as a proper occasion for sending tokens of love. Since the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day is seen as a day of romance. As we read in Chaucer's Parliament of Foules:
“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”
But the history of Valentine's Day and its holy saint is masked in mystery. As we know, St. Valentine's Day includes reminiscences of both Christian and ancient Roman rites. So, who was St. Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient tradition? DGreetings has answer for all your queries related to St. Valentine. So, settle in and glean some of the interesting legends surrounding the day of romance.
The Catholic Church recognizes three different Saint Valentines. All of them were martyred on the Valentine’s Day. However, there are contradictions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some legends say that the origin of Valentine’s Day owes its origin to St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He was martyred on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been dedicated to love lotteries. He was buried on the Via Flaminia. There is also a myth that says St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".
Other stories depict St. Valentine as a bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), is said to have been killed during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different place than Valentine of Rome. Some sources believe that the Valentine associated with the day of romance is Valentine of Rome, where as others believe it was Valentine of Terni who made fourteenth of February a day of love. The Bollandists have concluded that the two saints were originally the same person. Another legend says about Valentinius of Alexandria (c. 100 - c. 153). He was a prestigious Gnostic teacher and a candidate for Bishop of Rome in 143. In his doctrines, the marriage bed bore a central place in his version of Christian love, an emphasis sharply in contradiction with the asceticism of mainstream Christianity. Although the truth behind all the three Valentine legends is misty, but these myths certainly emphasize that these saints were compassionate, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figures.
Dgreetings offers information on St. Valentine from all over the globe.
