12th February, 2004

TONY TOWNSEND

Celebrated around the world every year on February 14th, St Valentine's Day is a commercial bonanza for greeting card companies, florists, chocolate manufactures, print media, and restaurant owners. Most of us associate the day with love and romance yet few of us know anything of its origins.

Legends and traditions have clouded history making details difficult to ascertain but it seems that the day traces its foundations back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held on February 15th. According to custom, on the eve of Lupercalia (February 14th) a young man drew the name of a girl from the lot and she became his sweetheart for the whole year.

This custom of choosing a mate on this date spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. People have also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14th and one of the earliest symbols of St Valentine’s day has been that of Cupid, a young boy with a bow and arrow otherwise known as a Roman sex and fertility god.

So why the name St Valentine's Day? According to the Catholic Encyclopedia there were at least three early Christian martyrs known by that name. Two Valentine’s were martyred under the Roman Emperor Claudius II (AD 268-270) while a third died in Africa, all apparently on February 14th.

Picture: Stephen Gibson (iStockphoto.com)

The first Valentine was imprisoned and martyred because he secretly married couples contrary to the laws of the Roman Empire. While in prison friends sent flowers and letters to him, pre-empting perhaps traditions which have lasted to this day.

The second Valentine was imprisoned for his faith for refusing to worship the Emperor. While in prison he proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ, with many being converted. He befriended one of his gaolers who requested Valentine prayed for his blind daughter. After he prayed for her, her sight was restored. On hearing that Valentine was making converts in prison, Emperor Claudius had Valentine beheaded. Prior to his execution, however, Valentine sent a note to the gaoler's daughter, apparently signing it "From your Valentine".

St Valentine's Day received the official recognition of the church in 496 AD when Pope St. Gelasius I named February 14 as “St Valentine’s Day” as a Christian feast day in order to provide an alternative celebration to the Roman festival.

These days, St Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world every year with cards, chocolates, flowers and restaurant bookings. Yet there are some who view the day as nothing more than the exploitation of a pagan festival which Christians should avoid. Others have called for the 'saint' to be put back into St Valentine's Day, offering practical suggestions like using family prayers, scripture reading and activities to give the day a real Christian focus.

Sources: Tom C McKenny, 'Holidays and Holy Days', Jubilee Publishers 1997