Saint Valentine

Saint Valentine d. c.270, Roman martyr priest. The customs connected with him in English-speaking countries are probably a survival from a period when a pagan festival associated with love occurred about Feb. 14, which was his feast day until it was dropped from the liturgical calendar in 1969. He is now popularly considered the patron of lovers and the helper of those unhappily in love.

Valentine, St. The commemoration formerly observed on 14 Feb. appears to refer to two Valentines: a Roman priest martyred on the Flaminian Way c.269, and a Bp. of Terni who was taken to Rome and martyred. The association of St Valentine's day with courtship is not connected with any tradition concerning either saint of the name.

Valentine, Saint Name traditionally associated with two legendary saints of the 3rd century: Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Interamna (modern Terni). The former was a Roman priest and physician; the latter, the Bishop of Terni. Little is known about either of them. The martyrdom of both is commemorated on February 14. The custom of lovers exchanging cards on St Valentine's Day possibly has its roots in the pagan Roman festival of Lupercalia, an ancient fertility rite celebrated in Rome on February 15.