The Origins of St. Valentine's Day

From 268-270 AD, the Roman Emperor was Caesar Marcus Aurelius Claudius Augustus, also referred to as Claudius II, or Claudius Gothicus. Claudius Gothicus was a persecutor of the Roman Christians. Valentinus was a Roman priest who would, in direct opposition to Claudius Gothicus’ mandates, marry Christians and aid them in any way he could. This was considered a crime, and Valentinus was arrested and jailed. During this incarceration, legend tells us that Valentinus cured the blindness of one of the jailor’s daughters and later writing a letter to her signed, "From your Valentine." If this legend is accurate, it would exemplify the world’s first Valentine’s Day card.

He was given audience before Caesar, during which Valentinus attempted to convert the Emperor to Christianity, thus sealing his fate. He was sentenced to death by stoning, and being beaten with clubs. This did not immediately cause Valentinus’ death, and he was beheaded on February 14, 269 AD. In 469 AD Pope Gelasius proclaimed the date of Valentinus’ death as the day to celebrate his martyrdom. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of, among other things, love, happy marriages and young people.

 

One of the ancient celebrations of Juno, Roman Goddess of women and marriage, was for young men to draw the names of young women, as if drawing lots. The young women’s names were written on cloth which the young men would wear on their wrist or forearms. From this practice come the phrase “Wearing your heart on your sleeve”. The young women would then accompany the man who chose her name for the duration of the celebration, sometimes much longer. This festival is commonly considered to have been held on, or about, February 15^th. As Christianity rose in popularity and power, several priests began to substitute the names of Saints for the names of the girls. Thus began the tradition of both choosing a Valentine, and choosing a Saint. As an aside, it should be noted that the month of June is named after the goddess Juno, and June has traditionally been THE month to marry.

 

 

The current state of hysteria surrounding February 14^thin America can be traced back to 1847 and Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts.  It is said her inspiration was a Valentine’s Day card sent to her from England.  Evidently, the English practice predates the American.  Currently Valentine’s Day is a time for platonic and romantic love and its expression in an enormous variety of ways.  From proposals to ‘thinking of you’, from obscene to sublime, there is a Valentine’s Day card for any circumstance.  There are even Anti-Valentine’s Day Cards!

Nearly 64% of consumers celebrate the ‘holiday’ spending about 120 USD apiece, totaling nearly 17 BILLION USD. 

Annual On-Line Valentine’s Day sales of candy, cards and flowers now approaches 24 million USD, and jewelry sales in February 2007 were nearing 25 million USD.  

 

And it was all started by a man who refused to deny his beliefs.