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The History of Valentine's The History of Valentine’s Day The following is the history of St. Valentine’s Day. After each section, you will answer several questions about the text. You must find the answers in the text – you may highlight or underline the answers. Saint Valentine or Valentinus was a Roman saint from the third century (200 A.D.). He is commemorated or honored every year on the day of his death, February 14th. There is a lot of mystery and confusion around the history of Saint Valentine, but one thing is for certain; he is associated with love and romance. Paganism vs. Christianity The Roman Empire, the government that controlled Western Europe and beyond, was in power from 27 BC to 476 AD. The ancient Romans were Pagans, and Paganism was the only official religion. Paganism is a religion that worships more than one god or deity. Christianity, a religion that worships one God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, began growing in popularity around the same time, starting in 4 BC. In the 200s, when Valentine lived in Rome, the Roman Emperor Claudius II strictly forbade Christianity and made it illegal. 1. Why did Emperor Claudius II make Christianity illegal? 2. What is the main difference between Paganism and Christianity? Two Biblical Stories about St. Valentine One historical account or version, found in the Nuremberg Chronicles (Biblical history book written in 1493), states that Valentine was arrested and imprisoned for secretly performing Christian weddings, which was illegal. While in jail, Valentine attempted to convert emperor Claudius II from Paganism to Christianity. Claudius was so outraged that he ordered Valentine to be executed or killed. 3. Why was Valentine considered a hero to Christians? 4. Why was Valentine considered a criminal to Claudius II? © Kristen Dembroski, NBCT Another historical account explains how Valentine, the Christian Bishop of Terni, performed a miracle by restoring sight to the blind adopted daughter of the city’s judge, Judge Asterius. In response, the judge freed all the Christians under his authority and then converted himself, his family, and forty others from Paganism to Christianity. Later, after he was relocated to Rome, Valentine tried to convert emperor Claudius II to Christianity. Claudius was outraged by this and ordered Valentine to renounce or abandon his Christian faith, or be executed. When Valentine refused to renounce Christianity, he was executed in 269 AD. In some versions, it is said that Valentine sent the judge’s daughter, with whom he had fallen in love, a note reading “From Your Valentine” just before his execution. 5. What are the similarities between these two different stories about St. Valentine? 6. What are the differences between these two different stories? Was Valentine Real? In both of the Biblical versions of Valentine, Valentine’s Christian faith is of great importance. Valentine is seen as a Christian hero, and he is considered a martyr because he died for his faith. It is widely believed that St. Valentine died on the Via Flamina (Street) close to the Milvian Bridge in Roma, a place that is considered holy today. Archaeologists have since unearthed a catacomb or tomb at an ancient church in Rome dedicated to Saint Valentine. The skeletal remains found there are believed to be of the real Saint Valentine. 7. Why is Valentine considered a martyr for Christianity? 8. Why is Roma a holy place for St. Valentine? St. Valentine’s Day and Lupercalia Day In 313, Christianity was finally officially permitted in Rome. The Catholic Church made the Christian Valentine’s Day official in 496 AD. The Catholic Church may have chosen to place the Saint Valentine’s Day on February 14th as an attempt to cover up or convert an ancient Pagan holiday that used to be celebrated around that time. The Pagan celebration in the middle of February was known as ‘Lupercalia.’ It was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the god of agriculture. On that day, goats were sacrificed, then dedicated to the town’s women and crop fields in hopes of increased fertility. Later in the day, all of the single women would place their names on scraps of paper in an urn or vase. The single men in the city would each choose a name, and then become paired for the year. Many of these pairs resulted in marriage. By the end of the 5th Century (400s), Paganism (including Lupercalia) was outlawed, and Rome was fully converted to Christianity. At that time, the Catholic Pope Gelasius declared February 14th the official Christian St. Valentine’s Day. 9. Why might the Catholic Church choose February 14th to be St. Valentine’s Day? 10. Find two official laws in this section. One thing became legal, another illegal. 2 © Kristen Dembroski, NBCT Valentine’s Day in Literature Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, wrote about romantic love and the tradition of writing “valentines” to one’s sweetheart in a poem published in 1382. The celebration of St. Valentine’s Day grew in popularity during the 15th through 17th Centuries (1400s – 1600s). At this time, there were traditions and rituals of courtly love, such as romantic gestures between the rich and noble. William Shakespeare wrote about these traditions and Saint Valentine’s Day in his famous play “Hamlet” (1601 AD). At this time in history, lovers ‘courted’ each other by sending flowers, hand written notes, poetry and songs, and sweet treats. Reading about these traditions in the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare would have made them even more popular and an important part of modern culture, not just religion. It was also commonly believed in France and England that the middle of February was the beginning of the birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that St. Valentine’s is a day for love and romance. 11. How did Chaucer and Shakespeare help to make Valentine’s Day popular? 12. What is courtly love? What are some examples of courtly love? Cupid and Valentine’s Day Symbols Symbols associated with St. Valentine’s Day include hearts, doves, and the winged Cupid. In Roman mythology (Paganism), Cupid is the god of love, passion, and desire. He is often portrayed with a bow and arrow. It is believed that those who are shot with Cupid’s arrow are immediately filled with uncontrollable love and desire. 13. Why is Cupid associated with Valentine’s Day? Valentine’s Day Today Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and Australia. It has become a popular, cultural celebration that everyone can enjoy. Friends and lovers exchange greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, and other sweet treats to celebrate friendship and romance. According to the U.S. Greeting Card Association, 190 million valentine cards and 15 million e-valentines are sent each year in the U.S. St. Valentine’s Day, as it is now celebrated, has roots in history, Pagan and Christian beliefs, and cultural traditions. 14. Find evidence that proves Valentine’s Day is popular today. 3 © Kristen Dembroski, NBCT .
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