Who was Saint Valentine, and how did his feast day of February 14 come to be regarded as a day for romance?
Compiled and edited by Fr. Henry Charles Umelechi, Fr. Truth Series.
At least two St. Valentines are listed in the Roman catalogue or list of martyrs and other saints for February 14. Although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine as a saint of the church, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable information about him.
The first Saint Valentine was a Roman priest, who ministered to persecuted Christians, who reportedly was martyred during the reign of the Emperor Claudius, on February 14, which has been observed as the Feast of Saint Valentine (Saint Valentine’s Day) since at least the eighth century.
The other Saint Valentine was a third-century bishop of Terni who was martyred in Rome but whose relics were sent back to his home see. But, some claim that there has been a confusion and that the two Valentines are really one.
•THE COMMON STORIES
1.The Validity of Jesus
One common story about St. Valentine is that in one point of his life, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia, he was put under house arrest by a man named Judge Asterius. While discussing religion and faith with the judge, Valentine pledged the validity of Jesus. The judge immediately put Valentine and his faith to the test.
St. Valentine was presented with the judge’s blind daughter and told to restore her sight. If he succeeded, the judge vowed to do anything for Valentine. Placing his hands onto her eyes, Valentine restored the child’s vision.
Judge Asterius was humbled and obeyed Valentine’s requests. Asterius broke all the idols around his house, fasted for three days and became baptized, along with his family and entire 44 member household. The now faithful judge then freed all of his Christian inmates.
St. Valentine was later arrested again for trying to convert people to Christianity. He was sent to Rome under the emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius II).
2. Marrying Couples and Aiding Christians
According to what is believed to be the first representation of St. Valentine, the “Nuremberg Chronicle,” St. Valentine was a Roman priest martyred during Claudius’ reign. It recounts that St. Valentine was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Both acts were considered serious crimes.
A relationship between the saint and emperor began to grow, until Valentine attempted to convince Claudius of Christianity. Claudius became enraged and sentenced Valentine to death, commanding him to renounce his faith or be beaten with clubs and beheaded.
St. Valentine refused to renounce his faith and Christianity, and he was executed outside the Flaminian Gate around Feb. 14, 269.
3. Others
Other depictions of St. Valentine’s arrests tell that he secretly married couples so husbands wouldn’t have to go to war. Another variation of the legend of St. Valentine says he refused to sacrifice to pagan gods and was put in prison, and while imprisoned he healed the jailer’s blind daughter. On the day of his execution, he left the girl a note signed, “Your Valentine.”
•VALENTINE AND ROMANCE
Nevertheless, we must note well that the reason the feast day has come to be associated with romance has nothing to do with the saint or the two saints, neither of whom had a clear connection to lovers or courtship. The association has to do with a belief, dating at least from the time of Chaucer, that birds pair up on February 14.
Chaucer, GEOFFREY, was an English poet, in London between 1340 and 134. Thus in Chaucer’s “Parliament of Foules” we read:
“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”
For this reason the day was looked upon as specially consecrated to lovers and as a proper occasion for writing love letters and sending lovers’ tokens.
This belief about biology became associated with the feast of the day, and eventually the thought of courtship and romance came to dominate. In any event, the Church certainly does not teach that Valentine’s Day should be celebrated in connection with romance.
•CONCLUSION
Withal, whoever he was, a St. Valentine did really exist, because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church near his burial site that was dedicated to his martyrdom. Feb. 14 has been celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day since the year 496, when Pope Gelasius set aside the day in honor of his martyrdom.
Also read: Why Catholics abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?
©TruthSeries
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Valentine
https://www.catholic.com/qa/who-was-st-valentine-and-how-did-his-feast-day-of-february-14-come-to-be-regarded-as-a-day-for
https://catholicnewsherald.com/faith/180-news/faith/faith-feb/7958-st-valentine-mysterious-martyr-whose-name-now-represents-romance
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine