Every February 14 , all around the world, sweets, a bouquet of flowers and gifts are given  between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who was this mystic saint , and where did these customs descend from?

There may be differing thoughts as to the origin of Valentine’s Day. Some experts suggest that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman priest who was martyrised for resisting to give up Christianity . He passed away on February 14, 269 A.D., the exact day that had been dedicated to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the prison guard’s daughter , who had become his acquaintance, and signed it “From Your Valentine”.

Other aspects of the tale tell that Saint Valentine worked as a priest at the temple during the sovereignty of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine imprisoned for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to reward St. Valentine.

St Valentine’s Day has got in the popular consciousness to the extent that one William Shakespeare remarks it in Ophelia’s lamentation in Hamlet :

“To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day,.
All in the morning betime,.
And I a maid at your window,.
To be your Valentine.”

Gradually, Valentine’s Day turned out to be the day for sending love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by posting poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was frequently a social gathering or a ball.

Even though the truth regarding the Valentine legends is cloudy, the tales most definately emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic , or even, above all , romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Dark Ages, Valentine was one of the most familiar saints as well as in France and England.

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