History of Valentines


Across the country Februray 14th is the day for Romance, Passion, Chocolates, flowers, gifts and expensive jewellery exchanged between to lovers.
The history of valentines day orginated from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia. The Romans called upon one of their gods, Lupercus. A festival held in honor of Lupercus was celebrated on February 15th. The festival was celebrated as a early spring festival.

One of the customs of the young people was name-drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew a slip. The girl whose name was chosen was to be his sweetheart for the year

Legend has it that the holiday became Valentine's Day after a priest named Valentine. Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II, ordered the Roman soldiers not to marry or become engaged. Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers would want to stay home with their families rather than fight his wars. Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and put to death

Some stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured to death.
While in prison there were rumours to suggest that Valentine sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. It is believed that Valentine fell in love with the Jailor's daughter who visited him during his confinement. It was alleged that Valentine wrote his love a letter before his death, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends unclear, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.