Kerby Anderson

Today is Valentine’s Day. Traditionally in this country, it has been a day for cards, candy, and flowers. I think it would surprise most people to know that Valentine’s Day is rooted in church history and not an invention of greeting card companies. Pope Gelasius designated February 14 as a day to celebrate the life of St. Valentine. Actually there were at least three men who were named Valentine that have been tied to this day. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius, Valentine was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers, who were forbidden from marrying because Claudius believed that unmarried men made better soldiers. One tradition says that he healed the daughter of his jailer. Before his execution, he wrote her a note that said “from your Valentine.” On February 14, there was a Roman festival based on the Roman goddess of marriage, childbirth, and sexuality. Some claim that the church may have decided to place the St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February to “Christianize” the pagan festival. That is likely how St. Valentine’s life came to be associated with love and romance. During the Middle Ages, Geoffrey Chaucer and others emphasized the idea of courtly love. By the 15^th century, the idea of Valentine’s Day changed into an occasion in which lovers would express their love for one another by giving the cards, candy, and flowers we give to each other today. Those cards came to be known as “valentines.” The oldest known valentine still exists. It was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Other “valentines” were sent in the following centuries. Sending and giving valentines today is big business. More cards are sent on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday except Christmas. I hope, now that you know some of the history, you won’t forget that this day was named for a Christian saint centuries ago.