| Valentine Note. Image by Steve Woods |
 |
Valentine's Day on February 14 is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; |
|
sending Valentine's cards, giving a gift of chocolates or flowers, or swaping love notes in the form of "valentines."
So she said what's the problem baby
What's the problem I don't know
Well maybe I'm in love....
'Accidentally In Love' ~ Counting Crows
|
 |
|
|
|
Every February, across the land, lovers come together and exchange gifts, all in the name of St. Valentine.
|
|
So who is this mysterious Saint Valentine and why do we celebrate this holiday? |
|
The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that February has long been a month of romance.
There are many opinions as to who was the original Valentine, the most popular theory is that it was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome.
In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine and through the centuries the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages - so St. Valentine became known as the patron saint of lovers.
The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
|
 |
|
Mosaic of St Valentine.
|
 |
|
| In the 1840s, Esther Howland of Massachusetts, is believed to have sent the first Valentine card -- and the spirit of love continues today as lovers still exchange valentines cards and gifts to express their feelings for one another. |
| A heart that loves is always young. ~ Greek Proverb |
|
