A Feast for a Martyr
Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical feast to honor a Christian martyr named St. Valentine, who was executed in the third century. Historical records mention at least two St. Valentines who died on February 14 during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus. Both were said to have been beheaded.
The Bollandists’ Research
The most comprehensive account of these martyrs comes from the Bollandists, an order of Belgian monks who began documenting the lives of saints in 1643. They identified several men named Valentine who were martyred on this date, including a priest in Rome and a bishop in Terni, Italy.
Evolving Traditions
In the Middle Ages, the story of St. Valentine grew to include legends of secret marriages and miraculous healings, but none of these tales are found in early Christian records. The association of Valentine with love appears much later, in the 14th century, when Geoffrey Chaucer linked his feast day with the mating of birds in his poem, “Parlement of Foules.”
Modern Day Celebrations
Valentine’s Day evolved further over the centuries, becoming a celebration of romantic love. By the 19th century, it became customary to exchange cards, flowers, and chocolates, a tradition that continues to this day.
Valentine’s Day: A History of Love and Death 💕
1/2: A Feast for a Martyr
Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical feast to honor a Christian martyr named St. Valentine, who was executed in the third century. Historical records mention at least two St. Valentines who died on… pic.twitter.com/BTfwGc1Pb9— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TBBOB2) September 18, 2024