Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Theofried Baumeister, “Martyrdom and Persecution in Early Christianity,” trans. Robert Nowell, in Martyrdom Today, ed. Johannes-Baptist Metz and Edward Schillebeeckx (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1983), 4. ↩. Bowersock, Martyrdom and Rome, 17–18; Keresztes, “Imperial Roman Government and the Christian Church,” 272. ↩ Valentine's Day has evolved into a day for expressing love and affection to one's romantic partner, friends, and family by exchanging cards, gifts, and gestures of kindness. While the holiday's origins are rooted in Christian tradition and martyrdom, it has become a secular celebration of love and friendship in many parts of the world. Valentine’s Day, in fact, originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing on Valentine’s Day? Early origins of St. Valentine. Ancient sources reveal that there were several St. Valentines who died on Feb. 14. The Feast of Saint Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine's Day, was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr. [41] A shrine of Saint Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland. February 14 is Saint Valentine's Day in the Lutheran calendar of saints. [12] Two Valentines are listed in the Roman Martyrology for February 14. The first Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who reportedly was martyred on the Flaminian Way during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The other Saint Valentine was a third-century bishop of Terni who was martyred in Rome but whose relics were sent back to his home see. The story of St. Valentine has much legend and myth surrounding it and the origin of Valentine's Day. We run into problems immediately when we attempt to identify the personhood of Valentine. Although we do have a story of one Valentine above – most likely the most accurate story about the Saint – we have three separate Valentine saints in history, all martyrs. St. Valentine (died 3rd century, Rome; feast day February 14) was the name of one or two legendary Christian martyrs whose lives seem to have a historical basis. Although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine as a saint of the church, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable St. Valentine - whether priest or bishop - was martyred on February 14, now celebrated as Valentine's Day. According to most accounts, he was beaten and then beheaded, after a time of imprisonment. Local devotion to him spread, and Pope Julius I had a basilica dedicated to the saint built approximately two miles from Rome, over Valentine's 1. What are the Christian roots of St. Valentine’s Day? The feast of St. Valentine is rooted in the very beginnings of the Christian Church. The hagiographies are filled with legends and stories, but by the sixth century, St. Valentine appears in the Martyrologium Hieronyianum (one of the oldest lists of early Christian martyrs). The patron saint of love and happy marriages, among other things, Saint Valentine was a 3rd-century Roman saint. His feast day, of course, is Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day. But who was he? First, let’s just say his feast day doesn’t refer to consuming chocolate or fancy dinners out, but rather a tradition of courtly love. The history of St. Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it is believed to have originated from a combination of pagan and Christian influences. One popular legend suggests that the day commemorates the martyrdom of St. Valentine, a Christian priest who lived during the third century under the rule of Emperor Claudius II. 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 day honoring one or two early saints named Saint Valentine (Italian: San Valentino , Latin: Valentinus ). Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, Valentine’s Day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni , a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible that the two saints were actually Most sources believe that Saint Valentine’s Day began with a feast in honor of an early Christian martyr named Valentinus and is celebrated in mid-February to coincide with his burial. Some believe it may also be celebrated at this time in an effort to Christianize the pagan Roman celebration of Lupercalia – a fertility festival related to Valentine's Day used to be about paying tribute to a Christian martyr but given his associations with love, it has now in the modern day moved on to be a day celebrating love. Valentine’s Day originated as a feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. It took a gruesome path to becoming a romantic holiday. How many Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year? Answer: Over 1 billion! Which country produces the most roses for Valentine’s Day? Answer: Ecuador What percentage of Valentine’s Day cards are bought by women? As February 14th approaches each year, the world is adorned with hues of red, hearts, and expressions of love. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, is synonymous with romantic gestures, chocolates, and heartfelt cards exchanged between loved ones. However, amidst the modern-day festivities lies a rich tapestry of Christian history, intertwined with tales of Take a peek below for a few fun Valentine’s day facts and frequently asked questions about the history of Valentine’s Day! 6 million couples are likely to get engaged on Valentine’s Day . In 2019, 250 million Valentine’s Day roses were produced for the holiday (Society of American Florists). As Christianity spread, the holiday was rebranded in honor of St. Valentine, a mysterious figure believed to be a Christian martyr who defied Roman laws.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |