2. Valentine's Day, also called SaintValentine's Day or the Feast of SaintValentine, is an annual holiday
celebrated on February 14. It originated as aWestern Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints
namedValentinus, and is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around
the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.
Several martyrdom stories associated with the variousValentines that were connected to February 14
were added to later martyrologies, including a popular hagiographical account of SaintValentine of Rome which
indicated he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering
to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, Saint
Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed "Your
Valentine" as a farewell.
The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th
century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which
lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards
(known as "valentines"). In Europe, SaintValentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an
invitation to unlock the giver’s heart", as well as to children, in order to ward off epilepsy (called SaintValentine's
Malady).Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the
winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
SaintValentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion,as well as in the Lutheran
Church. Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrate SaintValentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July
30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter SaintValentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr
Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modernTerni).
3. Shrine of St.Valentine in Whitefriar StreetCarmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland
Numerous earlyChristian martyrs were namedValentine.TheValentines honored on February 14 areValentine of Rome (Valentinus
presb. m. Romae) andValentine ofTerni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was
martyred in 269 and was added to the calendar of saints by Pope Galesius in 496 and was buried on theVia Flaminia.The relics of Saint
Valentine were kept in theChurch and Catacombs of SanValentino in Rome, which "remained an important pilgrim site throughout the
MiddleAges until the relics of St.Valentine were transferred to the church of Santa Prassede during the pontificate of Nicholas IV".The
flower-crowned skull of SaintValentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. Other relics are found at
Whitefriar StreetCarmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.
Valentine ofTerni became bishop of Interamna (modernTerni) and is said to have been martyred during the persecution
under Emperor Aurelian in 273. He is buried on theVia Flaminia, but in a different location fromValentine of Rome. His relics are at the
Basilica of SaintValentine inTerni (Basilica di SanValentino). Jack B. Oruch states that "abstracts of the acts of the two saints were in
nearly every church and monastery of Europe."TheCatholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint namedValentine who was
mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing
more is known about him. SaintValentine's head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster,Winchester, and venerated.
February 14 is celebrated as St.Valentine's Day in variousChristian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of
'commemoration' in the calendar of saints in theAnglican Communion. In addition, the feast day of SaintValentine is also given in the
calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church.However, in the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint
Valentine on February 14 was removed from theGeneral Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars
for the following reason: "Though the memorial of SaintValentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his
name, nothing is known of SaintValentine except that he was buried on theVia Flaminia on February 14."
The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout
the world byTraditionalistCatholics who follow the older, pre-SecondVaticanCouncil calendar.
In the Eastern OrthodoxChurch, St.Valentine is recognized on July 6, in which SaintValentine, the Roman presbyter, is
honoured; in addition, the Eastern OrthodoxChurch observes the feast of HieromartyrValentine, Bishop of Interamna, on July 30.
4. Many people around the world celebrateValentine’s Day by
showing appreciation for the people they love or adore. Some people take
their loved ones for a romantic dinner at a restaurant while others may
choose this day to propose or get married. Many people give greeting
cards, chocolates, jewelry or flowers, particularly roses, to their partners or
admirers onValentine’s Day.
It is also a time to appreciate friends in some social circles and
cultures. For example,Valentine's Day in Finland refers to “Friend's day”,
which is more about remembering all friends rather than focusing solely on
romance.Valentine's Day in Guatemala is known as Day of Love and
Friendship). It is similar toValentine’s Day customs and traditions countries
such as the United States but it is also a time for many to show their
appreciation for their friends.