St. Valentine

St. Valentine

St. Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine of Rome, was a Christian martyr who lived during the 3rd century AD. He is believed to have performed Christian weddings in defiance of Emperor Claudius, who had banned marriage for young men, as he believed that single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine's actions in conducting secret weddings for couples in love earned him a reputation as the patron saint of love and marriage.

Legend has it that St. Valentine was imprisoned for his defiance and while in jail, he delivered secret letters between jailed lovers. It is said that he fell in love with the jailer's daughter and before his execution, he wrote her a farewell letter signed "From your Valentine," which is believed to be the origin of the tradition of exchanging love letters on Valentine's Day.

St. Valentine's Day

Today, St. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th each year as a day to express love and affection to romantic partners, friends, and family members. The day is marked by the exchange of gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and greeting cards, known as valentines. It has become a popular holiday worldwide, symbolizing love and the importance of relationships.