Valentines day history
Whether you're a cynical, anti-capitalist grouch or a hapless, romantic fool, Valentines day is sure to be on your mind: it's only four days away! A lot of people who don't recognise Valentines day and refuse to accept it always say that their reasons are that it was invented by the greeting-card companies, as yet another way in which they can take our money. As creative as it sounds, it's not true. From wikipedia:
Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. Until 1969, the Catholic Church formally recognized eleven Valentine's Days. The Valentines honored on February 14 are:
- Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae): a priest in Rome who suffered martyrdom about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome, and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.
- Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae): He became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been killed during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).
So it's wasn't necessarily about honouring loved ones, but started out as a way of acknowledging martyrs. Regardless of whether you're a sap or a grouch, you should probably send valentines day gifts anyway. I'm sure that deep down inside you'll enjoy it! Just a simple flower will do.
- 10th February, 2008
- Hype, and Valentines Day.
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