V
alentine's Day - a day that celebrates love, romance, passion in every way, the world over.
It is also a holiday where people honor friendship, affection, and love for others.
Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers and is
celebrated on February 14th every year.
Valentine's Day is named in the memory of St. Valentine of Rome. Emperor Claudius II
arrested him for helping Christian martyrs. Saint Valentine also became the patron saint
of lovers as the church assimilated the fertility festival Lupercalia into their calendar.
What we call Valentine's Day was at one time the Feast of St. Valentine.
It was a religious holiday. According to church tradition St. Valentine was a priest near
Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor was imprisoning Christians
for not worshipping the Roman gods. During this persecution Valentine was arrested for
refusing to give up Christianity.
While in prison Valentine continued to pray to Jesus and spread the love of Christianity.
He was said to have restored the sight of a jailor's blind daughter whilst in prison.
When the emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts
even in prison, so he had Valentine beheaded.
He died on February 14, 269 A.D. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note
for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".
