A Historical Peep Into St. Valentine’s Day!

People wait for Valentine’s Day, celebrated on the 14th of February the world over! This is the day to express feelings of friendship and love, and it is done through flowers, candy and cards. The receiver of the gifts understands how high in esteem he/she is! It is not only adults that participate, even schoolchildren and teenagers take this day seriously! Of course, the cards that they exchange are more romantic in nature–decorated with hearts and cupid symbols! It would be nice to know how all this started, for it has obviously been named after a person, St. Valentine. In the modern world, it is connected with “romance”.

For this story, we will have to go back as far as the third century, because it is when Valentine lived on this earth. This Catholic priest lived during the time when Emperor Claudius II was ruling over Rome. The Emperor was having difficulty in building up an army, since few were ready to join. They refused to be sent to far off places where they would have to stay away from their homes for long periods of time.

Frustrated and angry, the Emperor Claudius concluded that unmarried men would have nothing to lose and therefore be more willing recruits. His solution to the problem was to decree that marriage for young men be outlawed. This did not sit well with the young men, and those in love found the humble priest Valentine more than willing to perform the marriage sacraments for the ardent lovers in secret. Unfortunately, Valentine was found out and arrested by Claudius. He was thrown into prison and sentenced to death.

One of the prison guards felt sympathy for this priest. To help him while away his time, he permitted his young daughter to pay visits to Valentine. The two became close friends. Before he was taken to the gallows, Valentine gave his friend a letter with the signature, “From your Valentine”. And that has become the launch pad for the modern Valentine’s Day!

The Vatican eventually declared Valentine a Saint. In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius I declared the date of his death in 270 A.D., February 14th, St. Valentine’s Day, a day to express sentiments of love and romance, celebrating the power of the spirit over the material world.

Over time, at least by the Middle Ages, this day became very famous and Europe celebrated it with gusto! In 1415, when the Duke of Orleans (Charles) was housed in the Tower of London as a punishment, he dispatched a card to his wife on February 14th. This practice continues on every Valentine’s Day all over the world.

Some men offered clothing to the women of their choice. If the women accepted these gifts, there would be many couples engaged to be married! Names of girls would be kept in bowls and lots drawn. The names would be pinned on the sleeves of the boys. In this way, they publicly declared their love! It was like wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeves! Others thought of different gifts and practices by which they could impress their loved ones. In Wales, hearts and keys were carved on spoons. The keys gave a message to the recipient that this particular heart could be unlocked.

Whatever it may be, St. Valentine’s Day is here to stay. And St. Valentine has been responsible for creating the most “loved” unofficial holiday in the world! The customs of yesteryears do not survive today; they have been replaced by candy, cards and flowers. Some enjoy candlelight dinners. Whatever, love has survived the stresses of time!