The story behind Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, also known as the festival of lovers, has been established and is celebrated around the world every year on February 14. However, while many celebrate this day, few are those who know the history behind this celebration. So let's take a look at its origin.

The most famous myths about the "origin" of Valentine's Day celebration

There are several different versions about the origin of the celebration of Valentine's Day, with its roots in ancient Christian and Roman tradition. The true story, even today, is not entirely clear, as not much is known about the life of Saint Valentine and it has not been clarified whether it refers to one or two different individuals with the same name. However, from the evidence, it seems to be a heroic and romantic figure of the time.

Saint Valentine, a priest in Rome (3rd century AD)

The prevailing version supports that the story begins with Valentine, a priest who lived in the 3rd century AD in Rome. At that time, the emperor was Claudius II, who banned marriages for young soldiers in order to maintain a strong army, as he believed that free men without children would be stronger and more focused on war. Valentine believed that this decree was unjust and for this reason, he performed secret, forbidden marriages for young lovers in ancient Rome. When Claudius II discovered this, he initially ordered the priest's imprisonment, but later decided to show him mercy. However, Valentine later tried to convert the emperor to Christianity, which angered him, and as a result, he ordered his execution by stoning. The priest, however, managed to survive and was eventually beheaded outside the gate of Flaminia, near Ponte Milvio in northern Rome. The most prevalent date of his death is on February 14, 273 AD.

Valentine, former bishop of Terni, a city in southern Umbria

Judge Asterius, challenging Christianity, put Valentine to a test, that if he passed, he would have whatever he desired. He had a blind adopted daughter and asked him to heal her. Indeed, he restored her sight and then asked Asterius, within three days, to break all the idolatrous statues he had and to be baptized. The judge did so and then baptized his entire family, but this action of the judge did not find the emperor Claudius in agreement, who arrested Valentine and ordered his execution.

Lupercalia

According to another version, the day of the celebration of Saint Valentine's Day comes from Lupercalia, a festival honoring the god Faunus (the Pan of the Greeks) and taking place in mid-February each year. This festival had its roots in the pre-Roman era and was associated with fertility, renewal, and the coming of spring. During Lupercalia, the priests, called Luperci, performed ceremonies on the Palatine Hill in Rome, and the Romans sacrificed animals.

This celebration was abolished by the Church around the 5th century AD, as idolatrous, and its place was taken by the celebration of the memory of Saint Valentine.

The couple and the rose

In another beautiful version, Saint Valentine intervened in a heated argument between two lovers. One day, as he was tending to the roses in his garden, he heard a couple arguing. Instead of letting the dispute prevail, he decided to intervene.

Valentine, cutting one of the beautiful roses, went out onto the street and approached the couple. With words full of wisdom, he begged them to listen to him. Then, he offered the rose as a symbol of peace, blessing them. Love returned between the couple and shortly after, they came back, asking him to marry them.

Celebration of Valentine's Day in Greece

The establishment of Valentine's Day in Greece began around the late 1970s at the initiative of florists. Due to the lack of information about the life of Valentine, his celebration is not mentioned in the Orthodox calendar.

In 1994, it was proposed that Valentine's Day be celebrated on July 3rd, the feast day of Saint Hyacinth of Cappadocia, who was born in 78 AD, served as the chamberlain of Emperor Trajan, was imprisoned, and died at the age of just 20 from starvation.

Six years later, in 2000, it was proposed and established by the late Archbishop Christodoulos that Valentine's Day be celebrated on February 13th, one day earlier. February 13th is the feast day of Saints Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who lived in Corinth and converted to Christianity. They are remembered for the love they had for each other and for their apostolic work.

Today, while this celebration does not have the same historical basis as other traditions in Greece, February 14th has now become a popular holiday for couples to express their love and appreciation for each other.

Facts around the world that you might want to know about Valentine's Day

In Slovakia, Valentine's Day is celebrated not only on February 14th but also on May 29th. The reasoning behind this is that during this period, birds build their nests and it is common to see lovebirds.
In Finland, Valentine's Day is known as "Ystävänpäivä," which means "Friend's Day." Finns focus not only on romance but also on expressing love towards friends and family.
In Verona, Italy (where Romeo and Juliet lived), approximately 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet are received every year.
Since 2003, there has been an official celebration day for Valentine's Day, also known as Quirkyalone, for those who have not yet found their other half. Naturally, this day is also celebrated on February 14th.
Approximately 3% of people buy a gift for their pet on Valentine's Day.
On February 14th, approximately 220,000 marriage proposals are made every year.
The amount of chocolate sold each year on this day reaches 1 billion.

Valentine's Day has been established worldwide as the celebration of love and companionship, and the history of Valentine's Day with its different versions reflects these needs. In every corner of the planet, people celebrate love and friendship in various ways. Regardless of whether they prefer traditional or more modern expressions (e.g., on social media), this day is an opportunity to express love and keep relationships alive. So, let's keep the spirit alive every day and not just on February 14th.