We all know that February has long been a month of romance when candy, flowers, cards, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. However, the true history of Valentine's Day -- and the saint for whom the day is named --is surrounded with legends and remains a mystery.
Who was this mysterious saint, and why do we celebrate this holiday?
One story suggests that the good Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who served during the third century in Rome in the days of Claudius II. One of his activities was to marry couples.
Emperor Claudius wanted to expand the size of his army. He thought that single men made better soldiers than married men, especially men with families. So, in his way of thinking, if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. Thus, he outlawed marriage for young men.
After Claudius passed this law, Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine suffered martyrdom on February 14, about the year 270 A.D. Some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated on that day in February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death.
There's more to the legend. While Valentine was in jail awaiting execution, many young people came to the jail to visit him. They threw flowers and notes up to his window. They wanted him to know that they, too, believed in love. This perhaps is where the idea of sending Valentine's flowers originated.
According to the legend, one of these young people was the prison guard's daughter, whom Valentine befriended. On the day Valentine was to die, he left his friend a farewell message thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. The message was signed, "Love from your Valentine", an expression that we still use today.
Even though no one knows the true Valentine's Day history, we do know that February 14 gradually became the date for exchanging symbols of love, and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The day is celebrated by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers, chocolates, and cards. Thus the legend of St. Valentine lives on.
