Once upon a time during the early 3rd century lived a Catholic priest who went on to change the world with his message of love. His name was valentine. As the world today celebrates Valentines’s day we take a look at this extraordinary day which has for centuries captivated the whole world.

Its no doubt the old, the young have heard of him, movies have been made about him but on his life on every day love.

According to history, Valentine was a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II. There had been a decree issued by the Emperor stopping the young men from getting married to their women since it had been discovered that the men were not willingly to join his army because of their wives.
With the decree it meant severe punishment and in some cases death for couples and the priest who organized the ceremony. But Valentine was not afraid as he defied the emperor’s degree. He went on to perform secret marriages of some couples who desired to get married. He was subsequently arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome who condemned him to death after he beaten, stoned and eventually beaten to death with his head cut off.

During that time in ancient Rome, an ancient custom which dates back to the 3rd century was usually celebrated in the month of February. The festival which was called “Lupercalia” which was in honour of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddess, who was also known as the goddess of women, love and marriage.

On this occasion, pagan ceremonies were been held in which young men would choose names of maidens to be their partners during the celebration and which led to engagement. This was usually sealed with a gift exchange.

The early christian church was known for transforming pagan festivals by giving them Christian meaning, decided to do away with the pagan festival by replacing the names of saints for those pagan gods/goddess.

In 496AD, Pope Gelasius who was an African Pope and the last Arican Pope decided to set aside Feb 14th to honour St Valentine who became the patron saint of love.

Since then the exchange of gifts has become a practice over the centuries as the holiday became a time to exchange love messages. He is regarded as the patron saint of engaged couples and of anyone wishing to marry. Valentine are sent as signs of devotion of true lovers, friendship between friends and gestures towards the poor and one’s loved ones.

So when next you decide to celebrate valentine’s day with your loved ones, kindly spare a thought for the man behind this festival.

SOURCE: http://dambela.com/2017/02/14/lived-saint-name-valentine/