February 14th. Valentines Day

Though the Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred (a more detailed anaylsis can be found at historychannel.com we do have Pope Gelasius to be grateful for all that flower exchanging and card giving as he was the one who set aside February 14th to honour a St. Valentine. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February."

One such Saint Valentine was beheaded and martyred by the Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus because, legend has it, he continued to marry young couples even though Claudius forbade it. catholic.org states that: "Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith in effectual, commended him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded, which was executed on February 14, about the year 270."

Was he the one that history has come to celebrate? The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a The Nuremberg Chronicle in 1493 and Pope Gelasius marked today as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom in 496 AD.

We also know that 'archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.' The Roman priest had a reputation for kindness which may well have grown into the legend that now is.

Whilst we may never find out for sure, it is suggested that the first Valentines card was sent in 1415 by Charles, duke of Orleans, to his wife. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time. We hope he sent it first class. The British Museum in its Library contains a Valentines card from the 1400s.

A more detailed look at the history of the Valentines festival can be found at wilstar.com