In what year did Emperor Claudius 2 rule? Roman orgies, torture and executions: the true story of St. Valentine. Saint Valentine - the story of life

Why was Saint Valentine executed? and got the best answer

Answer from Leonid Yaroshevsky[guru]
February 14th is not an ordinary day. This is the holiday of all lovers, since according to the Catholic calendar, this is the day of St. Valentine, who is perceived as the patron saint of lovers. According to legend, Saint Valentine was a Roman bishop during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century. Since Valentine was a Christian, the emperor ordered his prefect Astorius to keep an eye on him. Astorius took Valentine to his house, where his blind daughter also lived. Valentine fell in love with her and cured her with the help of God. But the Roman pagans considered him a sorcerer and executed him. However, in memory of his martyrdom, the entire Christian world celebrates this day as a day of love.
There is another legend about the origin of the holiday. In ancient Rome, there was once a doctor named Valentine. He can even be called a "gastronomic doctor", since he was always concerned that the medicines that he prescribed for patients to take had a pleasant taste. To give a delicious taste to medicines, he mixed bitter mixtures with wine, milk or honey. He washed wounds with wine and used herbs to relieve pain.
Saint Valentine was also a preacher. Although Christians in Rome were persecuted at that time, he became a priest. Valentine lived during the time of Claudius II, who carried out many aggressive wars. When Claudius had trouble recruiting new soldiers for the army, he decided that the reason was the soldiers' attachment to their wives and families. And canceled weddings and engagements.
Valentine prayed for the health of his patients, and secretly married couples in love. One day the jailer of the Roman emperor knocked on Valentine's door. He held his blind daughter by the hand. He learned about the healing abilities of Valentine, and begged Valentine to cure his daughter of blindness. Valentine knew that the girl's illness was practically incurable, but he promised that he would do everything possible to cure her. He prescribed eye ointment for the girl and told her to come back in a while.
Several weeks passed, but the sight of the girl did not return. However, the man and his daughter did not doubt their faith in Dr. Valentine and continued the course of treatment prescribed by him. One day, Roman soldiers broke into Valentine's home, destroyed his medicines, and took him into custody because of his religious beliefs.
When the sick girl's father found out about Valentine's arrest, he wanted to intervene, but was unable to help. Valentine knew that he would soon be executed. He asked the jailer for paper, pen and ink and quickly wrote a farewell love letter to the girl. Valentine was executed on the same day, February 14, 270.
When the jailer returned home, his daughter met him. The girl opened the note and found yellow saffron inside. The note read "From your Valentine." The girl took the saffron in her palm and saw its sparkling colors. A miracle happened: the girl's vision was restored.
In 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th to be Saint Valentine's Day.
Officially, Valentine's Day has existed for more than 16 centuries, but the holidays of Love have been known since ancient pagan cultures. For example, the Romans in mid-February celebrated Lupercalia - a festival of eroticism in honor of the goddess of love, Juno Februata.

Answer from V.I.P.[guru]
for the fact that he married both the rich and the poor! and there was nothing to do in those days !!

Answer from I[expert]
For the fact that he illegally married

Answer from OK[guru]
Legionnaires were not allowed to marry, but he secretly married them

Answer from Glukos[guru]
For the fact that he married lovers during the war, which was forbidden.
Happy Valentine's Day!!

Answer from Anna Koryagina[guru]
there was a state ban on weddings, because there was a war, and marriage distracted men from the war. And SV. Valentine secretly married lovers.

Answer from Anonymous[guru]
For the love of nature!

Answer from KawaiiKa[newbie]
For love... it's so sad. after all, he only made people happier ... after all, love is the meaning of life ..

Answer from Victoria Arutunova[guru]
Valentine is a saint who lived until the third century.
He was bishop of the Italian city of Terni at a time when Christians were being persecuted by the emperor Claudius.
Once Valentine healed the daughter of a dignitary Asterius from blindness, after which the whole family of the dignitary converted to Christianity. This angered the emperor - and on February 14, 269, the bishop was beheaded.
There is another version. Emperor Claudius II issued a decree forbidding legionnaires to marry. Valentine secretly married legionnaires in love with their lovers. The emperor found out about this and decided to stop his "criminal activity". Valentine was sentenced to death. (Personally, this vesiya seems to me like a beautiful legend - how could he "marry" legionnaires if Christianity had not yet been approved as the state religion in Rome and the emperor Claudius was against Christianity as a religion?)
In any case, later, Valentine was canonized by the Catholic Church as a Christian martyr who suffered for the faith (but not as a secret accomplice of marriages). And in 496, Pope Gelasius announced February 14 as St. Valentine's Day (later they began to associate this day with the feast of lovers). However, in 1969, as a result of the reform of worship, Saint Valentine was removed from the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, since information about his life is contradictory and unreliable.
Source:
link

Answer from Primadonna Natalie™[guru]
The legend tells how Emperor Claudius was going to conquer the world, but the Roman army experienced an acute shortage of soldiers for military campaigns. Allegedly, men preferred to spend time with young wives, rather than go to war. Therefore, Claudius forbade marriage as a phenomenon and forbade the legionnaires to marry. But Bishop Valentine disregarded the tyrant's prohibition and secretly married the lovers. For this he was thrown into prison.
A few days before the execution, a girl was brought to him, the daughter of one of the jailers, who was seriously ill. Using his healing gift, Valentine, who had loved her for a long time, cured the girl. But there was nothing he could do to help himself. The execution is scheduled for February 14th. The day before the execution, Valentine asked the jailer for paper, pen and ink and quickly wrote a farewell letter to the girl. On February 14, 270, he was executed. And the girl opened a note where Valentine wrote about his love and signed "Your Valentine."

Answer from User deleted[active]
glamorous

Answer from Glyana Barmenkova[newbie]
he crowned same-sex marriages and the day of love is celebrated in the summer, this is the day of Peter and Fevronya

Answer from Alexei[active]
There is another version. Emperor Claudius II issued a decree forbidding legionnaires to marry (among themselves), as this adversely affected the morale of the army. Valentine secretly married legionnaires (homosexuals) in love. The emperor found out about this and decided to stop his "criminal activity". Valentine was sentenced to death. He was posthumously recognized by Catholics as a saint. Valentine's Day was actively celebrated in the United States by American homosexuals in the 70s, and it was on this day that the first official same-sex marriages were concluded.

And the time is coming again. No, not the New Year and not even March 8th. And chocolate-heart-flowery Valentine's Day, or Valentine's Day. And while love is in the air for everyone, we decided to dig up historical facts about this day that have little to do with falling in love and flowers.

The Roman emperor Claudius II did not allow his soldiers to marry during the war, as he believed that love and marriage were in no way connected. According to the Golden Legend, a collection of Christian legends and the lives of saints, it was under Claudius II that Saint Valentine was executed.

In fact, there are several legends about Saint Valentine. One says that he secretly married lovers, was caught and executed by order of the emperor. According to another, Valentine tried to help Christians who were persecuted in those days escape from prison, was discovered and captured. Fell in love with the daughter of his jailer and wrote her the first Valentine, signing "Your Valentine". Be that as it may, Valentine was executed, and Pope Julius II canonized him, presumably on February 14th.

Red roses were the favorite flowers of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. In general, each flower has its own meaning, so try not to give your girlfriend a hatred bouquet of yellow lilies, for example. © rexfeatures

It was the King of England Henry VIII, known for the fact that almost all of his six wives died tragically (he executed two himself, one died after childbirth), in 1537 made February 14 an official holiday for lovers.

The city of Verona still receives thousands of letters addressed to Juliet, Romeo's love. Pictured is a statue of Juliet in Verona. © rexfeatures

Only in the Middle Ages did Valentine's Day become associated with love, and then only because, for example, in France and England, in February, the mating season began for birds. © rexfeatures

Many historians suggest that February 14 was chosen not at all because of St. Valentine, but to replace the ancient Roman pagan fertility holiday Lupercalia in honor of the god Faun, as well as the founders of the city, Romulus and Remus. During the celebration, goats and dogs were sacrificed, men undressed, ran around the city and whipped everyone with animal skins, especially women, since the blow was considered a blessing. Then the leaves with women's names were placed in a vessel, and the men thus chose a mate for themselves for a year, after which they got married.

Valentine cards appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, when typography became not such a complicated process. At that time, it was not customary to openly express your feelings, so valentines were most welcome.

In fact, several Christian martyrs with the name Valentine lived in the 3rd century - the holy martyr Valentin, bishop of the city of Interamna, and the presbyter Valentin of Rome, as well as the martyr Valentin of Dorostol, a warrior who died for an open confession of Christianity.

In the Roman church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, you can admire the skull of St. Valentine. Yes, this is one of the main attractions of the church. We hope that this is the skull of exactly the “correct” Valentine. Are you going to Rome anytime soon? Great, you can see the rest of his skeleton in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Scotland, Great Britain and France.

In the days of Queen Victoria in England, it was considered bad luck to sign valentines. Probably, this was due to the fact that, again, it was not customary to openly declare one's feelings, since it was possible to compromise the beloved.

The oldest valentine has survived, with a poem sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Unfortunately, his wife passed away before she could get the duke's poem.

At the beginning of the 19th century, doctors actively urged people to eat chocolate to relieve longing for their beloved. And at the end of the 19th century, Richard Cadbury produced the world's first box of chocolates.

In the Middle Ages, most people were illiterate, so when they had to sign any document, they simply put an X in front of witnesses, and then kissed their "signature" as a sign of the sincerity of their decision. Among these documents were marriage certificates.

Canonized Day of Remembrance Attributes

birds; roses; a bishop carrying a sword; bishop holding the sun

asceticism

miraculous healings, confession of faith in Christ

Life and legends

The first reliable evidence of the veneration of Valentine the Roman dates back to the 7th century and is recorded in the "Martyrdom of Mary and Martha" (BHL 5543). As for Valentinus of Interamna, his life (BHL 8460) was written somewhat earlier, in or in the 7th century. Both texts are extremely typified, they can be considered with great difficulty as reliable evidence.

In the early lists of Roman martyrs, Valentine is not mentioned; undoubtedly, their veneration is recorded no earlier than the beginning of the 7th century. Memory is missing in the most complete app. Blessed Martyrology. Jerome and appears only in the Sacramentary of Pope Gregory I the Great (590-604), from where it passed into the Martyrology of Bede the Venerable. There is indirect evidence of the existence of the cult of St. Valentine in Rome as early as the 4th century, which shows the fact of the construction of two basilicas. According to information from the Roman Chronograph (354), one - " called Valentina"- was built in the pontificate of Julius I (337-352) on the Flaminius road (" on the second miliarium of the Via Flaminius, quae appellatur Valentini""). At the same time, this name may indicate that a certain Valentine was a builder. The second was built in the city of Terni over the alleged tomb of Valentine, Bishop of Interam, but it is mentioned only in the middle of the 8th century (LP 1, 427).

relics

To possess the relics of St. Valentine claims many temples and monasteries. Despite the fact that the saint’s skull decorated with a wreath has long been located in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the Vatican recognized the relics of the remains removed in 1836 from the catacombs of Hippolytus on the Tiburtine road. Pope Gregory XVI donated this relic to the Carmelite Church in Whitefair Street, Dublin.

Also, the Cathedral of Roquemore in France, the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Vienna, the basilica in Balzan in Malta, the church of St. Peter and Paul in the Czech Vysehrad, the Greek Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sambir and the church in Chelmno, Poland. On the desecration of the relics of St. Valentine in the Trinity Church of the city of Berestechko is narrated by I. Babel in the story "At St. Valens" from the collection "Cavalry".

veneration

In the West, the memory of Valentine the Roman and Valentine the Bishop of Interamna has been celebrated on the same day since the 7th century - February 14 (see St. Valentine's Day).

In the Catholic Church in 1969, when revising the general liturgical calendar of St. Valentine was excluded from the list of saints whose memory is obligatory for liturgical veneration. The saint is currently commemorated locally in a number of dioceses. In Russia, on February 14, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the enlighteners of the Slavs.

In Orthodoxy, the memory of both martyrs is celebrated on different days: on July 6 (19 N.S.) - the memory of Valentine the Roman, Hieromartyr, presbyter, and on July 30 (August 12, N.S.) - the memory of Valentine of Interamsky, Hieromartyr, Bishop.

In the Belarusian city of Smolevichi there is a Catholic church dedicated to St. Valentine. Also near it is a monument to the saint.

Write a review on the article "Saint Valentine"

Notes

An excerpt characterizing Saint Valentine

[Death is saving and death is calm;
O! there is no other refuge against suffering.]
Julie said it was lovely.
- II y a quelque chose de si ravissant dans le sourire de la melancolie, [There is something infinitely charming in a smile of melancholy,] - she said to Boris word for word the passage written out from the book.
- C "est un rayon de lumiere dans l" ombre, une nuance entre la douleur et le desespoir, qui montre la consolation possible. [This is a ray of light in the shadows, a shade between sadness and despair, which indicates the possibility of consolation.] - To this, Boris wrote poetry to her:
"Aliment de poison d" une ame trop sensible,
"Toi, sans qui le bonheur me serait impossible,
"Tendre melancolie, ah, viens me consoler,
Viens calmer les tourments de ma sombre retraite
"Et mele une douceur secrete
"A ces pleurs, que je sens couler."
[Poisonous food of a too sensitive soul,
You, without whom happiness would be impossible for me,
Gentle melancholy, oh come comfort me
Come, calm the torments of my gloomy solitude
And join the secret sweetness
To these tears that I feel flowing.]
Julie played Boris the saddest nocturnes on the harp. Boris read Poor Liza aloud to her and interrupted the reading more than once from excitement, which took his breath away. Meeting in a large society, Julie and Boris looked at each other as the only people in the world who were indifferent, who understood each other.
Anna Mikhailovna, who often traveled to the Karagins, making up her mother's party, meanwhile made accurate inquiries about what was given for Julie (both Penza estates and Nizhny Novgorod forests were given). Anna Mikhailovna, with devotion to the will of Providence and tenderness, looked at the refined sadness that connected her son with rich Julie.
- Toujours charmante et melancolique, cette chere Julieie, [She is still charming and melancholic, this dear Julie.] - she said to her daughter. - Boris says that he rests his soul in your house. He has suffered so many disappointments and is so sensitive,” she told her mother.
“Ah, my friend, how I have become attached to Julie lately,” she said to her son, “I cannot describe to you! And who can't love her? This is such an unearthly creature! Oh Boris, Boris! She was silent for a minute. “And how I feel sorry for her maman,” she continued, “today she showed me reports and letters from Penza (they have a huge estate) and she is poor and all alone: she is so deceived!
Boris smiled slightly, listening to his mother. He meekly laughed at her ingenuous cunning, but he listened and sometimes asked her attentively about the Penza and Nizhny Novgorod estates.
Julie had long been expecting an offer from her melancholic admirer and was ready to accept it; but some kind of secret feeling of disgust for her, for her passionate desire to get married, for her unnaturalness, and a feeling of horror at the renunciation of the possibility of true love still stopped Boris. His vacation was already over. Whole days and every single day he spent with the Karagins, and every day, reasoning with himself, Boris told himself that he would propose tomorrow. But in the presence of Julie, looking at her red face and chin, almost always strewn with powder, at her moist eyes and at the expression on her face, which always showed readiness to immediately move from melancholy to the unnatural rapture of marital happiness, Boris could not utter a decisive word: despite the fact that for a long time in his imagination he considered himself the owner of the Penza and Nizhny Novgorod estates and distributed the use of income from them. Julie saw Boris's indecisiveness and sometimes the thought came to her that she was disgusting to him; but immediately a woman's self-delusion offered her consolation, and she told herself that he was shy only out of love. Her melancholy, however, began to turn into irritability, and not long before Boris left, she undertook a decisive plan. At the same time that Boris' vacation was coming to an end, Anatole Kuragin appeared in Moscow and, of course, in the Karagins' living room, and Julie, suddenly leaving her melancholy, became very cheerful and attentive to Kuragin.
“Mon cher,” Anna Mikhailovna said to her son, “je sais de bonne source que le Prince Basile envoie son fils a Moscou pour lui faire epouser Julieie.” [My dear, I know from reliable sources that Prince Vasily is sending his son to Moscow in order to marry him to Julie.] I love Julie so much that I should feel sorry for her. What do you think, my friend? Anna Mikhailovna said.
The idea of being fooled and losing for nothing this whole month of hard melancholic service under Julie and seeing all the income from the Penza estates already planned and used properly in his imagination in the hands of another - especially in the hands of stupid Anatole, offended Boris. He went to the Karagins with the firm intention of making an offer. Julie greeted him with a cheerful and carefree air, casually talking about how fun she had been at the ball yesterday, and asking when he was coming. Despite the fact that Boris came with the intention of talking about his love and therefore intended to be gentle, he irritably began to talk about female inconstancy: about how women can easily move from sadness to joy and that their mood depends only on who looks after them. Julie was offended and said that it was true that a woman needed variety, that everyone would get tired of the same thing.
“For this I would advise you ...” Boris began, wanting to taunt her; but at that very moment the insulting thought came to him that he might leave Moscow without achieving his goal and losing his labors in vain (which had never happened to him). He stopped in the middle of her speech, lowered his eyes so as not to see her unpleasantly irritated and indecisive face, and said: “I didn’t come here at all to quarrel with you. On the contrary…” He glanced at her to see if he could continue. All her irritation suddenly disappeared, and restless, pleading eyes were fixed on him with greedy expectation. "I can always arrange myself so that I rarely see her," thought Boris. “But the work has begun and must be done!” He blushed, looked up at her, and said to her, “You know how I feel about you!” There was no more need to speak: Julie's face shone with triumph and self-satisfaction; but she forced Boris to tell her everything that is said in such cases, to say that he loves her, and never loved a single woman more than her. She knew that for the Penza estates and Nizhny Novgorod forests she could demand this, and she got what she demanded.
The bride and groom, no longer remembering the trees that showered them with darkness and melancholy, made plans for the future arrangement of a brilliant house in St. Petersburg, made visits and prepared everything for a brilliant wedding.

Count Ilya Andreich arrived in Moscow at the end of January with Natasha and Sonya. The countess was still unwell, and could not go, but it was impossible to wait for her recovery: Prince Andrei was expected to Moscow every day; besides, it was necessary to buy a dowry; The Rostovs' house in Moscow was not heated; in addition, they arrived for a short time, the countess was not with them, and therefore Ilya Andreich decided to stay in Moscow with Marya Dmitrievna Akhrosimova, who had long offered her hospitality to the count.

secular version.

According to secular sources, the story went like this. In Rome, under Emperor Claudius II, who forbade his soldiers to marry, lived the priest Valentine. Valentine, contrary to the imperial decree, secretly continued to marry lovers, for which he was imprisoned. Claudius even ordered the execution of the priest. And in conclusion, Valentine allegedly wrote notes to the jailer's daughter, whom he fell in love with. Before the execution, the young priest wrote a farewell note to the girl with the brief phrase "from Valentine". Having received this news, the jailer's daughter, being still blind, received her sight. Since then, people have revered this day as the holiday of lovers.

According to church records.

These events took place in the 3rd century, when the persecution of Christianity, begun under the emperor Nero, continued. The state was afraid that Christianity, as an alien religion, would anger its "gods", and they would turn away from the empire. In addition, each emperor bore the title of Pontificus magnus (high priest), that is, he was a convinced pagan.

In the "Lives of the Saints" for July 6, we see the priest Valentine brought to trial, but not because he supposedly crowned soldiers, but because he confessed Christ as God. Let us listen to the conversation that took place between the cruel emperor Claudius, who issued a decree to execute all Christians, and the young presbyter.

Why are you, living among our people, not in agreement with us? I hear enough about your Christian teaching and wonder how you, being an intelligent person, are seduced by the empty tales of your faith? asked Valentina Claudius.

- If you knew the gift of God, which is in our faith, then you would gladly accept it, and you yourself and your people, would reject false gods and idols made by human hands and confess the One Almighty God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son , the Creator of all that exists, who created the sky, and the earth, and the sea, and everything that is in them, answered Valentine.

"If Christ is God, why don't you tell me the whole truth about Him?" asked the emperor, who was listening attentively.

— Oh, king! Listen to me, and your soul will be saved, your kingdom will expand and your enemies will disappear, you will defeat everyone and here you will enjoy the temporary, and in the future life - the eternal kingdom. Do only the following: repent of the blood of the saints that you shed, believe in Christ and receive Holy Baptism.

After listening to these words, Claudius betrayed Valentine to one of the main dignitaries - Asterius, a man known for his mind, so that he would convince him that the pagan faith is better than the Christian one.

Arriving at the house of Asterius, Valentine prayed that the Lord would turn that house to Himself and give it light after darkness, so that he would know God and Christ in unity with the Holy Spirit. Asterius, who heard the prayer of St. Valentine, asked with surprise why he called Christ the Light. The saint answered that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true light that enlightens every person who comes into the world.

“If He enlightens every person,” Asterius said to this, “then I will now test whether what you say is true.” I have a daughter who was blind before the age of two, and if you restore her sight in the name of your Christ, then I will do everything you command.

Valentine asked to bring the girl. He prayed with tears, then put his hand on the eyes of the blind man and said: "Lord Jesus Christ! Enlighten Your servant, for You are the true Light." After these words, the girl immediately regained her sight. Seeing this, Asterius and his wife fell at the feet of the saint with the words: "We implore you, do with us what you wish, so that we become the slaves of Christ and our souls are saved." Then St. Valentine ordered them to destroy all the idols that were in the house, to forgive the debts of debtors and, after a three-day fast, to receive Holy Baptism. Asterius and his wife agreed to fulfill everything, and the saint began to teach them the truths of the Christian faith.

Three days later, Asterius was baptized with all his house. Upon learning of this, the emperor immediately sent soldiers to seize all those living in the house of Asterius and torture them so that they renounce Christ. In addition, he ordered that Valentine and some other Christians be separated from the family of Asterius, hoping that the newly baptized and not yet tested in the faith would soon renounce Christ away from them. But he was wrong. Saint Asterius was martyred along with all the household, whom he strengthened with the words: "Be bold, do not be afraid, for the One Who was seen in the Babylonian furnace with three youths, now stands among us."
And St. Valentine with some Christians was brought to trial before Claudius, where, by imperial order, he was beaten with sticks without mercy, and then his head was cut off with a sword.

The holy martyr Valentine ended his life with a glorious Christian death for the Lord, and by no means for secretly crowning Roman soldiers. And being in chains, he did not write love letters to the blind daughter of the jailer, but, like all Christians sentenced to death, he prayed to Jesus Christ to strengthen his strength during terrible torment.

The pagan roots of the holiday.

Where did this holiday, called Valentine's Day, come from? It turns out that he did not come from the Christian East and not from the Catholic West, but came out of rude paganism.

In ancient times in Rome there was a festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15th. This holiday was dedicated to the Faun - the pagan god of fields, forests, pastures and animals. On this day, Luperk priests sacrificed animals to the Faun. It was believed that on this day each bird chooses a mate. Lupercalia was also a holiday for lovers, patronized by the goddesses Juno and Fauna. In order to preserve the feast of the Lupercalia, a certain Christian “plaque” was imposed on it.

This is what we are actually celebrating...

// January 31, 2011 // Views: 5 676

The history of Valentine's Day grows out of legends that have come to us through the centuries. One of the first popular symbols of Valentine's Day was Cupid, the Roman god of love, represented by a boy with a bow and arrow. But did Saint Valentine really exist?

Several theories surround the history of Valentine's Day.
For about three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, Roman emperors continued to insist on belief in their gods. Valentine was a Christian priest, and for his teachings he was thrown into prison. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian priest, but also because he performed a miracle. There is a story that he cured the jailer's daughter of blindness. On the night before his execution, he wrote her a farewell letter, signing it "From Your Valentine".

Another legend.
Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived around the same time, 200 AD. He was imprisoned for secretly marrying couples in love, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. According to some reports, he was burned at the stake.

It is not known exactly why February 14th is known as St. Valentine's Day, or if St. Valentine was actually related to this day.
Historians claim that the modern day celebration of Valentine's Day was a mixture of ancient Christian and Roman traditions. According to one legend, this holiday comes from the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia - Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival and was celebrated annually on February 15th. But during the rise of Christianity in Europe, many pagan holidays were renamed in honor of Christian martyrs. The Lupercalia festival is no exception. In AD 496, Popes Gelasius directed the inclusion of the Lupercalia festival as a Christian holiday and set its observance one day early, February 14th. He proclaimed February 14 as a holiday in honor of Roman Saint Valentine.

There were at least three Christian saints named Valentine in the Catholic Encyclopedia. One of them was a priest in Rome, the other was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third Saint Valentine except that he ended his life in Africa. But it is known that they were all executed on February 14th.

Most scholars believe that Saint Valentine was a priest who lived in Rome around 270 and drew the disgrace of the Roman emperor Claudius II, who was the ruler of that time. During the existence of Valentine, the golden era of the Roman Empire had almost come to an end. The lack of capable leaders led to frequent civil wars. Taxation has risen exorbitantly. The Roman Empire faced crisis from all sides - from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongols from Northern Europe and Asia. The story of St. Valentine also has two different versions - Protestant and Catholic. But both versions agree with the story when St. Valentine, as a bishop, performed secret marriage ceremonies for the soldiers of Emperor Claudius II, who forbade marriage for young soldiers and was subsequently executed for this. Claudius II believed that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus would not make good soldiers. He issued a decree banning marriage for his military personnel.

The ban on marriage was a great shock to the Romans. But they did not dare to openly express their protest against the powerful emperor. Bishop Valentine considered this decree unfair, and seeing the imprint this trauma leaves on young lovers who have lost all hope of having a family, he secretly performed marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain secret for a long time. When Claudius II found out about this, Valentine was arrested.

Claudius II met Valentine and he is said to have been impressed by the latter's self-esteem. Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. He also refused to recognize the Roman gods and even attempted to convert the emperor himself, fully aware of the consequences.

Legend says that there was a deep friendship between Valentine and the daughter of Asterius. Just before the execution, Valentine asked for a pencil and paper from his jailer and signed a farewell for her" From your Valentine", a phrase that lives on to this day. Valentine was executed on February 14, 270 AD.

After that, February 14 became the day for all lovers and Saint Valentine became his patron.

And no matter how strange the origin story may be, Valentine's Day is the day of lovers. When a lover can send a letter and candy to his sweetheart, roses are a symbol of love. The first greeting cards "valentines" appeared in the 16th century. William Shakespeare helped romanticize Valentine's Day in his work, and the holiday gained popularity throughout the UK and beyond in the rest of Europe. Originally postcards were handmade. "Valentines" made of lace, ribbons, and with pictures of cupid with an arrow piercing the heart. After this tradition spread to the American continent. Today, Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays in the US and is a huge commercial success.

But who was Saint Valentine, and did he really exist? We only know that this day has a mixture of Christian and ancient Roman traditions. But the personal history of the patron saint of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery!

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

All the best, happiness and love to you!