Who was St. Valentine?

Well, it appears there are several answers to that question.

The name Valentine is derived from the latin word valens, meaning worthy, strong, powerful. It was given to 14 martyred saints of ancient Rome, all of whom were killed trying to convert Romans to the new religion. Pope Glelasius I first established the feast of St. Valentine in 496 A.D. to venerate these early Christians who by then had been largely forgotten.

Why he chose the date of Feburary 14^th may be because one of the 14 saints was purportedly buried on this date.  But others believe it was more likely an attempt to supersede the Pagan festival of Lupercalia, an Roman purification ritual held from 13-15 February each year to wash away the evil spirits of the previous year and to release health and fertility to all in the coming one.

The current practice of associating Valentine's day with romance began in 14^th century England with Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle when the practice of “courtly love” -- openly expressing your amorous feelings for another, through poems, verses, scented letters delivered by intermediaries -- became the new rage.

Happy Valentine’s Day all! 

Did YOU feel the love today?



Comments

[3samovar]

now i know, thank you!