• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
methodshop

methodshop

tech news, reviews & how to's

  • Top Stories
  • Latest
  • Fun
  • Life
  • Learn

Home : Learn : Who Was St. Valentine, And Why Do We Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Rose
Rose

Who Was St. Valentine, And Why Do We Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is the holiday for expressing love. But who was St. Valentine, and why do we celebrate him every February 14th?

February 14, 2007 by jayfrankwilson
FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Who was St. Valentine? Why do we empty our pockets to buy expensive chocolates and bacon flowers every year for Valentine’s Day? Here’s a little history of Valentine’s Day and what we know about St. Valentine himself.

Who Was St. Valentine? The 3 Valentine Legends

Every February, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and why do we celebrate him? The history of Valentine’s Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least 3 different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

Legend: Valentine The Wedding Priest

One popular legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men, his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Legend: Valentine The Rescuer

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

Legend: Valentine The Romantic Prisoner

According to the third legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today.

Valentine’s Day History

Who Was St. Valentine, And Why Do We Celebrate Valentine'S Day?
GooKingSword, TheDigitalArtist

Although the truth behind the legend of St. Valentine is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, a romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, St. Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Who was St. Valentine and why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14?
Click To Tweet

Related Posts:

  • The History Of St. Valentine And Valentine's Day
    The History Of St. Valentine And Valentine's Day
  • How Social Media Users In America Celebrate Valentine's Day
    How Social Media Users In America Celebrate Valentine's Day
  • Happy Hoff Day: Celebrate David Hasselhoff's Birthday By Reflecting On His Career And Weird Photoshoots
    Happy Hoff Day: Celebrate David Hasselhoff's Birthday By…



FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Category: Learn Tag: Catholic Church, Chocolate, Christianity, Emperor Claudius II, England, flowers, France, Holiday, Middle Ages, Roman, Valentine's Day
Previous Post: « Tiki Barber starts second career with NBC
Next Post: The History Of St. Valentine And Valentine’s Day Add A Lipstick Kiss To Your Love Letters »

Sidebar

Trending Now

  • 18 Weird Facts About Sea-Monkeys You Won't Believe Are True, Including Their Connection To The Ku Klux Klan18 Weird Facts About Sea-Monkeys You Won’t Believe Are True, Including Their…
  • 20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite
  • 7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google's Cameras7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google’s Cameras
  • 55 Funny Out Of Office Messages That Will Make Your Coworkers Smile55 Funny Out Of Office Messages That Will Make Your Coworkers Smile
  • 25 Reasons Why Action Park Was The World's Most Dangerous Amusement Park25 Reasons Why Action Park Was The World’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park
  • How To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without InvoiceHow To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without Invoice
  • 8 Of The Best Quotes From Field Of Dreams8 Of The Best Quotes From Field Of Dreams
  • 50+ Famous Happy Birthday Quotes From Notable Personalities50+ Famous Happy Birthday Quotes From Notable Personalities
  • The 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That'll Make You LaughThe 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That’ll Make You Laugh
  • 30 Funny Computer Jokes That Will Make IT Professionals Smile30 Funny Computer Jokes That Will Make IT Professionals Smile

Categories

About

MethodShop’s mission is to entertain, inform, and sometimes gross you out. MethodShop has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not by us. All prices are subject to change.

Latest

Alexa Music

15 Essential Music Commands For Amazon Alexa

Helpful Tips For Anyone Selling A Luxury Home

8 Essential Tips For Anyone Selling A Luxury Home

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
MethodShop Animated Zoom Icon
  • About
  • Submit
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Store

Copyright © 2022 MethodShop · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT