This celebration known as Valentine’s Day has its origin in the Catholic Church and is associated with several martyrs named Valentine or Valentinus. Valentine was a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd century AD.
According to historical documentation, Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II (268-270 AD). At that time, the Roman Empire was engaged in several wars, and Claudius II believed that single men made better soldiers because they had no family ties to distract them. To increase the number of available soldiers, Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men.
Saint Valentine (the Priest) was deeply disturbed about the soldiers sexual escapade; he defied the emperor’s decree, continued to perform marriages in secret for the soldiers in other to engage them in marital union officially. When Emperor Claudius II discovered this, he had Valentine arrested and put in prison.
During his imprisonment, Saint Valentine was said to have prayed, leading to the healing of the daughter of his jailer, thereafter converted her and others to Christianity.
Emperor Claudius II who was not satisfied with Valentine’s imprisonment, ordered for his execution.
Before his execution, Saint Valentine wrote a letter to the jailer’s daughter, signing it “From Valentine,” which is where the modern-day expression comes from.
On February 14, around 270 AD, Saint Valentine was executed outside the Flaminian Gate in Rome. He was beheaded, and his body was buried on the Flaminian Way.
In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius 1, declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to honor the martyrdom of Saint Valentine and eliminate the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated around the same time. Over time, the holiday evolved to become a day for expression of love and affection between couples.
It would be noted that Pope Gelasius I, was the Bishop of Rome and the universal head of the Catholic Church from 492 AD to 496 AD. During his Papacy, he worked to Christianize the Roman Empire and replace pagan traditions with Christian ones. By declaring February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, he aimed to honor the martyrdom of Saint Valentine and promote Christian values.
There are other theories and legends surrounding Saint Valentine’s Day, which is generally believed to be corrupt versions of the real Valentine who was a Catholic priest executed for guiding soldiers to real love. Happy Valentine’s Day!
- – Asomugha Johnpaul
Thanks for this brother John