Since today is Valentines day I thought it would be nice to discuss how Valentines day begun!
It all started during the heyday in the Roman Empire which was held in February. The heyday begun when Rome was at it’s strongest, most successful and was ruled under Augustus Caesar.
During the festivities young men would get to choose their mates. This was a great time for the men since the Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage in fear men wouldn’t want to leave their wives if there was a war.
Young couples still fell in love and still wanted to marry each other even though the law prohibited it.
These young couples would then turn to the Catholic Bishop Valentine who believed in marriage and understood love. Valentine would secretly marry these couples that would come to him for help.
Claudius soon found out about Valentine’s secret ceremonies and had Valentine arrested for treason and ordered him to be put to death.
While in jail awaiting to comply to his sentencing, Valentine exchanged letters with the jailer’s daughter and fell in love with her.
The day Valentine was to be beheaded, he wrote her one last letter and signed it: “From Your Valentine”.
When Christianity took over in 496 A.D. the Pope Gelasius chose February 14th to replaced the popular February festival as a day to honor the martyr St. Valentine. Still today it’s widely celebrated all over the world.
There are many different variations of the St. Valentines story, But I enjoy this one the most.
Happy Valentines day, with love,
A&L