St. Valentine’s Day Origins Mix Paganism and Christianity 

The origins of St. Valentine’s Day revolve ancient Roman celebrations. February 14 was the day chosen to honour Juno, the Queen of the Roman gods and goddesses and the goddess of women and marriage.  

The following day was the start of Lupercalia, which was celebrated as early as the fourth century BC. On the eve of the feast, the names of all the young women were placed in a box and each one was randomly selected by a young man. The couple were partners throughout the festival. Some stayed together during the coming year and developed relationships, many of which ended in marriage. 

Pope Galasius outlawed the festival in 496 AD. He Christianised the holiday by maintaining the special day and the lottery. Instead of a girl’s name, the young men received the name of a saint whom they were to be like for the rest of the year. 

There are several stories of how St. Valentine became involved with the day. One of the most popular involves the Bishop of Interamna. Claudius was the emperor of Rome at the time and badly in need of soldiers. Thinking single men would leave home to fight more readily, he outlawed marriage.

Bishop Valentine defied the emperor and secretly continued to perform marriages. He was discovered and sentenced to death. He died in February 269 AD. One legend surrounding his death involves the daughter of Valentine’s jailer. Supposedly, while awaiting execution he fell in love or became friends with her. He wrote to her and signed the letter, “From Your Valentine.” Valentine became a saint for his martyrdom and Pope Galasius made him the patron of his newly created day