Every February 14th 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 this holiday?
The history of Valentine's Day is in many ways a mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance and comes from ancient Roman tradition.
Who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Valentine was a priest who believed in love and the right to get married!
One legend says that Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men ! No one could get married.
Valentine thought this was unjust and ignored 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.
Valentine's grave in is Terni in Italy and young couples still go there to get engaged. In the 17th century it became popular to exchange gifts on Valentine's Day, and it still is today.
Happy Valentine's Day girls!
The history of Valentine's Day is in many ways a mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance and comes from ancient Roman tradition.
Who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Valentine was a priest who believed in love and the right to get married!
One legend says that Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men ! No one could get married.
Valentine thought this was unjust and ignored 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.
Valentine's grave in is Terni in Italy and young couples still go there to get engaged. In the 17th century it became popular to exchange gifts on Valentine's Day, and it still is today.
Happy Valentine's Day girls!
