Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. The day originated as a Western Christian feast honoring one or possibly two early saints named Saint Valentine (Italian: San Valentino, Latin: Valentinus). From the High Middle Ages, the saint’s feast day became associated with the tradition of courtly love.

Today, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions around the world. While the primary focus is romantic love between unmarried men and women, there are also traditions centered on friendship. In particular, young children often exchange Valentine’s Day cards with their kindergarten and elementary school classmates, nurturing early bonds and social connections that contribute to a harmonious society.

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Saint Valentine

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presbyter martyred in Rome) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus, Bishop of Interamna, martyred in Rome). Some historians believe these two figures may, in fact, have been the same person.

Valentine of Rome

Valentine of Rome was a priest who was martyred in 269 C.E. and buried on the Via Flaminia. He was added to the calendar of saints by Pope Gelasius I in 496 C.E. The relics of Saint Valentine were originally kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which remained an important pilgrimage site throughout the Middle Ages. Later, during the pontificate of Pope Nicholas IV, the relics were transferred to the Church of Santa Prassede.

His skull, crowned with flowers, is displayed in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome. Other relics were taken to Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland, where they remain today. This church continues to be a popular pilgrimage site, especially on Saint Valentine’s Day, for those seeking love.

Valentine of Terni

Valentine of Terni became Bishop of Interamna (modern-day Terni) and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian in 273 C.E. He was also buried along the Via Flaminia, though in a different location from Valentine of Rome. His relics are housed in the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).

The inconsistency in identifying Saint Valentine is reflected in the various vitae (biographies) attributed to him. Although the surviving accounts of his martyrdom date from a later period and include legendary elements, scholars believe they may share a core of historical truth and possibly refer to a single individual. According to this view, Bishop Valentine was born and lived in Interamna and, during a temporary stay in Rome, was imprisoned, tortured, and martyred on February 14, 269. His body was hastily buried nearby, then later recovered by his disciples and returned to his hometown.

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Legend and Legacy

Saint Valentine was persecuted for his Christian faith and personally interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II. The emperor was reportedly impressed by Valentine and attempted to persuade him to convert to Roman paganism to save his life. Valentine refused and instead tried to convert Claudius to Christianity. As a result, he was sentenced to death.

Before his execution, Valentine is said to have performed a miracle by healing Julia, the blind daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Following this miracle, the jailer and his household—forty-six family members and servants—embraced Christianity and were baptized.

According to legend, on the evening before his execution, Valentine wrote the first “valentine” card, addressed to Julia, who had regained her sight, and signed it “Your Valentine.” It is also said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. The almond tree has since become a symbol of enduring love and friendship.

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Feast Day

Saint Valentine of Rome was martyred on February 14, 269 C.E. The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 C.E. to honor the Christian martyr. February 14 is also recognized as Saint Valentine’s Day in the Lutheran calendar of saints.

The Church of England included Saint Valentine in its pre-Reformation calendars and restored his commemoration as bishop and martyr in the 1661–62 Book of Common Prayer. However, in the 1969 revision of the Catholic Calendar of Saints, Saint Valentine’s feast day was removed from the General Roman Calendar and assigned to local calendars. The stated reason was that, apart from his name and burial on the Via Flaminia on February 14, little is known with certainty about Saint Valentine.