St Valentine, the man who ‘created’ the month of love
Who was the man responsible for one of the most romantic days of the year?
Valentine’s Day is a day specifically set aside for the romantic at heart.
However, did you know St Valentine’s life came to an unromantic end?
The history of Valentines Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery, and as the day contains both Christian and ancient Roman traditions, one needs to ask how St Valentine become associated with the day.
According to one legend, Valentine was a third century priest who served in Rome.
Apparently, Emperor Claudius II felt single men made better soldiers than married men with families and therefore outlawed marriage.
Feeling this was an injustice, Valentine defied the decree and performed marriages in secret.
His actions were discovered and Emperor Claudius had him sentenced to death.
Another legend suggested that Valentine sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself while he was imprisoned and fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement.
Allegedly, before his death he wrote a letter and signed it “From your Valentine”, an expression still used today.
While St Valentine’s life came to a horrible end, he was considered a romantic hero, whose legacy has endured the test of time.
