Valentine’s Day is a day some think to be our culture’s way of commercializing love. A way to turn love from a deep, devoted commitment into an easily bought commodity won over by cheap candy and flowers and a night out. However, it is not commonly known that the origin of Valentine’s Day is based on the life, death, and sacrifice of a man centuries ago.
St. Valentine, a priest of the Catholic faith, lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II or “Claudius the Cruel,” according to Father Chris Crowley at Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin, Ireland, and the Smithsonian Magazine.
Crowley and other sources like the History Channel said Claudius was finding it difficult to recruit young men for his army. Claudius blamed this on increased male attachment to females, and he banned new marriages and engagements until further notice. In response to this, Valentine continued to perform as many secret marriages as he could before he was found out.
When he was arrested, Valentine was sentenced to death by being beaten with sticks and then beheaded.
Beyond these facts, the truth is a bit muddled. Some sources, like the History Channel, claim that while Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, writing her a love note and signing it “From Your Valentine.” The date of Valentine’s death also remains slightly in question, but it was most likely around 269 or 270 AD.
Valentine was named a saint after his death, and Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day, possibly in attempt to uproot the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love.
However you look at it, Valentine’s Day is about more than a simple gesture of love or adoration. It is about sacrifice and devotion, love and honor, in the face of overwhelming and dangerous odds.
While making your Valentine’s Day plans, remember St. Valentine who was willing to give his life in pursuit of love and marriage, and ask yourself if you would be willing to do the same for those you profess to love.
FAQs
It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. Valentine's Day. A Valentine's card, c.
What is the meaning of Valentine's day in your country what happens on this day? ›
St Valentine's Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration. Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends.
What is the real story behind Valentine's day? ›
Turns out, it was a pretty common name during Late Antiquity. As far as anyone can tell, the Saint Valentine of Valentine's Day was one of two guys preaching the good word in Rome in the third century. One of these two was martyred on February 14th 269, thus giving us the date for his eponymous day.
What does the Bible say about Valentine's day? ›
1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
What is the dark history of Valentine's day? ›
One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.
What is the spiritual meaning of Valentine's day? ›
While the holiday has undergone secularization over time, its origins in Christian martyrdom and acts of love align with broader spiritual themes of compassion, selflessness, and devotion. For some, Valentine's Day serves as a reminder of the importance of love in both human relationships and spiritual practice.
What is the logic behind Valentine's day? ›
Held in mid-February, the festival celebrated the coming of spring with raucous celebrations and fertility rites. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius forbade the celebration of Lupercalia, and some suggest that he replaced it with a day to celebrate the martyred St. Valentine.
What is the actual meaning of Valentine? ›
While the date is meant to honor Saint Valentine's death and burial, which supposedly occurred in mid-February around 270 AD, some historians believe the date could reflect the Catholic Church's attempt to replace the ancient Pagan celebration of Lupercalia — a fertility festival for the pagan agricultural god Faunus — ...
What is the true meaning of the Valentine's day Massacre? ›
The massacre was an attempt to eliminate Bugs Moran, head of the North Side Gang. Al Capone, who was at his Florida home at the time, was widely assumed to have been responsible for ordering the massacre.
What is the purpose of Valentine's Day? ›
Valentine's Day is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It is also called St. Valentine's Day. The holiday has expanded to express affection between relatives and friends.
Christian Connections
Valentine's Day began as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine. The feast was first established by Pope Gelasius I to honor one or two saints named Valentinus for being martyred on February 14.
Where is Valentine located in the Bible? ›
Valentine's Day is a peculiar Christian holiday not mentioned in the New Testament—unsurprisingly, as it was instituted in honor of a third-century c.e. “saint” named Valentine.
What is the mystery behind Valentine's day? ›
According to NPR, Emperor Claudius II of Rome executed two different men named Valentine on February 14 (in two different years) during the third century. One account of St. Valentine says that he was a priest who was arrested for defying a Roman decree that forbade soldiers from marrying.
What is the significance of Valentine's day in your life? ›
Hi ! Valentine's Day is a special day to celebrate and express love. It is an opportunity to remind people of the importance of relationships, whether they are with a spouse, family, friends, or even a pet.
What is the symbolism of Valentine's day? ›
A traditional Valentine's Day symbol - the symbol of the heart that is pierced with an arrow symbolises the vulnerability of love. It represents the risk of a lover while confessing his love-bearing a fear of being rejected and breaking his heart.
