Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged
between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this
mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?
The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in
mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St.
Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian
and ancient Roman tradition.
So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this
ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different
saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend
contends that Valentine was a pastor who served during the third century in
Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers
than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men —
his crop of potential soldiers.
Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and
continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s
actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other
stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help
Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and
tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’
greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in
love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who
visited him during his confinement. Before his death he wrote her a letter,
which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use
today.
Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories
certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most
importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages,
Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
And he still is popular in the Griffin household in 2011. =)
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
“Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!”