DID YOU KNOW?

Who was Saint Valentine?

Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity to express feelings of love. Greeting cards and heart-shaped chocolate boxes are traditional gifts, as are red roses. Most people know how and why Valentine’s Day is celebrated, but few may know the person behind the holiday’s name. The Catholic Church recognizes three different martyred individuals with the name Valentine, who each may hold ties to the Valentine’s Day celebration. The name Valentine comes from the Latin “Valentinus,” which means “worthy, strong or powerful.” The name was a common moniker at the time. It is not known just how many Valentines were around in that era, but historians believe there were many. According to the Catholic Education Resource Center, the following three Valentines share February 14th as their feast days. The historical records are sparse, but here’s what is known about these men.

1. One St. Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome. He comforted the martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Claudius

II. This Valentine was arrested and condemned to death by beheading for his faith.

2. Another St. Valentine was the Bishop of what is now Terni, located 60 miles from Rome. He also was arrested and beheaded under Emperor Claudius II.

3. The third St. Valentine suffered martyrdom in Africa, but not much else is known about him.

Historians are unsure which Valentine inspired Valentine’s Day or if the day is meant to commemorate each of them. Stories about Valentine and his actions helping the faithful are used interchangeably.

According to Britannica, although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable information about him. In addition to being the namesake behind Valentine’s Day, he is the patron saint of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers. TF232696