02/14/2025
The tradition of Valentineās Day has been celebrated for over 1,500 years! Some say it all started with Saint Valentine of Terni back in 226 A.D. So, how did the patron saint of epilepsy and beekeepers also become the worldās icon for love and all things mushy? Believe it or not, Valentineās story in itself is anything but lovey-dovey and roses. It is said that Valentine was imprisoned for giving aid to persecuted Christians at the time. While in prison, Valentine allegedly performed a miracle and healed the jailorās blind daughter. Legend says before Valentineās ex*****on he wrote the jailorās daughter a farewell letter and signed itā¦ āYour Valentine.ā
Clearly Saint Valentine of Terni wasnāt munching away on some candy hearts in prison. So where did the chocolates, romantic dinners, and general amore come from? Another St. Valentine appears in history out of Rome. In 270 A.D. (ish), Emperor Claudius II banned all engagements and marriages in Rome (No wonder he was known as Claudius the Cruel). You see, he thought that Roman men were reluctant to join the army because of their strong connection to their wives and families. During this time, Saint Valentine of Rome continued to marry couples in secret. When Claudius discovered this, he had Valentine put to death.
Not everyone agrees on exactly where our modern Valentineās Day traditions come from; yet the common thread of love still spans different cultural celebrations. In Latin America, the day isnāt only for lovers but also for showing appreciation to friends. Israel celebrates Tu BāAv as a second holiday of love along with Valentineās Day. In ancient times the girls would dance around the vineyards in white dresses. In Ireland, many make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Valentine in Dublin. Believing St. Valentineās relics to be there, they pray in hopes to find romance.
No matter where this day of love came from, I think we can all agree that the world can always use more of that L-O-V-E stuff. So, Happy Valentineās Day. Show some love today ā to your lover, friends, family, and even a stranger. It can only make this globe a better place!
ā„from "Your Valentine" at The D/C Group
