February is probably best known as the month of love. Every Feb. 14, lovers all over the world exchange gifts, cards and flowers. Valentine's Day is thought to have originated from Roman and Christian traditions. Some say the date was chosen to remember the day that Saint Valentine died. Others say that the Christians used Valentine's Day to replace the Pagan holiday, Lupercaila, that was celebrated around the same time of the month. Lupercaila was the fertility festival dedicated to the Roman Gods Faunus, Remus and Romulus. Eventually the celebration was outlawed and Pope Gelasius made it illegal. He then declared Feb. 14 to be Saint Valentine's Day.
So, who was Saint Valentine? There are three known Saints recognized by the Catholic Church who were named Valentinus. All three of them were known to be martyrs who suffered death and social injustice for the sake of their beliefs.
One legend says that Valentine was a third century priest who disobeyed the Emperor of the time, Claudius II. Emperor Claudius decided that young and unmarried were the best of society to form into soldiers for his army. So, he made it illegal for any young man to marry. Valentine did not agree with this and thought it was unfair. He continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers and kept them a secret. Once he was found out, the emperor sentenced him to death.
Another story says that Valentine may have been killed for helping imprisoned Christians escape from Roman prisons where they were being tortured, beaten and killed. He was caught and imprisoned, as well. According to legend, he fell in love with his jailor's daughter. She would often visit him when he was in confinement. He wrote her a love letter before he died and signed it as "From Your Valentine," which is possible where that sentiment comes from today.
You're probably wondering what all of this has to do with love. Well, although Feb. 14 was declared St. Valentine's Day in the fifth century, it was't until the Middle Ages that it really started to be connected with the idea of love. It was common belief that the middle of February was considered to be the beginning of bird's mating season, which could have contributed to the idea to woo your significant other with love letters and flowers.
All of this is what led to the Valentine's Day that we know of today. So if you're single on Valentine's day, you shouldn't feel bad. St. Valentine was known for showing his love and compassion for all people around him, and he even died for his Christian beliefs and morals. So, instead of feeling sorry for yourself and binge eating chocolate, no matter what your beliefs, do something nice for someone who needs it. That's the best kind of love you can spread. Happy Valentine's Day!
