Ferguson Features

Valentine's Day occurs every February 14th, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? The history of Valentine's Day and the story of it's patron saint is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day as we know it today contains vestiges of both christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentin was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius the second decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he out lawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realized the injustice of this decree, he 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. Still others insist that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He too was beheaded by Claudius the second outside of Rome. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christianss escape harsh Roman prisons,where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl - possibly the jailor's daughterwho visited him during his confinement. Before his death it is alleged that wrote her a letter signed" From your Valentine"