The sugar-coated Valentine’s holiday that we know today began with festivities that date back to the 5th century. Kings, Queens, and Nobles began sending a primitive form of greeting cards to their friends, families, or spouses. Such activities were captured in the medieval writing of Chaucer and Shakespeare.

But Valentines Day, and the celebration of love, didn’t just begin on February 14th. The roots of Valentine’s Day lay in a pagan festival called Lupercalia; a festival celebrated by the Romans. Lupercalia took place in the month of Februarius or February, which marked the beginning of Spring. It was celebrated annually on the 15th and was a ritual of cleansing and purification to begin the new season.

Lupercalia later progressed into a rowdy celebration of  animal sacrifice and inflicting self pain in return of spring and fertility. It was replaced with the feast day of St. Valentine by Pope Gelasius in the year 496.

After the death of Jesus, there  were many who were not fond of the newly proclaimed religion of Christianity. Those identifying as Christians were forced to hide their religion and practice in secret. For many this meant putting their life on the line and sacrificing their safety. St. Valentine is an example of one of the many martyred and persecuted Christians in the early days of the Church.

During this time period, the Romans led an unbelievably powerful empire spanning across much of the Mediterranean. Historically, the Romans were known as brutally unforgiving and cruel for their actions in warfare and political upheaval.

Although there was not one single religion during the Roman Empire, people were encouraged to practice prayer to their many deities. Often times, they  incorporated various types of gods into one compacted religion. Romans credited themselves as being extremely religious and following the most true and honorable religion. Their unique religion was believed to be handed down from the early kings of Rome. It served as a type of foundation and culture to Rome, known as the mos maiorum, “the way of the ancestors” or “tradition”.

In addition to the average conflict between Jewish people and the Romans, the Jews observed Judaism as religio licita or as a legitimate religion. While they discredited Christianity as a small arising Jewish sect, it eventually began to spread outside its Jerusalem roots. Due to Jewish people’s refusal to worship the established gods of Rome, Roman emperors and officials soon began to persecute and kill those identifying as Christian.

Within these religious conflicts erupted another problem. The inability to get married! In the year 270, Emperor Claudius the Second, announced that no Roman solider was allowed to get married. Believing that single soldiers proved to be more focused and adequate soldiers, he outlawed marriage.  Many began to turn to Valentinus to perform secret marriages, it was then that Valentinus thus became a symbol of love and marriage. His practices soon became popular and Valentines was given the choice to be executed or ‘redeem’ himself by asking for forgiveness from a Roman god.

Valentinus refused and was set to be killed on February 14th. While in prison, Valentinus befriended the jailor’s daughter, a blind girl. They would talk all through the night and were believed to have fallen in love. Valentinus was able to miraculously return the sight to his lover. On his  last day before going to his death, Valentinus left his love a note signed, “From your Valentine”. This phrase has now become a Hallmark classic on cards, candy boxes and those alike. Representing the love, dedication and romance- Valentine’s Day may just be one of the most truly observed holidays associated with romance.

So this Feb 14, celebrate some Valentine history with your sweet-heart!