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Did you know that St. Valentine was a real man who died around 270 A.D., but his true identity isn’t exactly known to the history books?
The Roman Catholic Church believes St. Valentine is the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers, according to Britannica. Though his exact identity is unknown, and could be more than one person, St. Valentine is generally believed to be a Roman priest and physician who was martyred during the Christian persecution by emperor Claudius II Gothicus.
“According to legend, St. Valentine signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and healed from blindness. Another common legend states that he defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from being conscripted to serve in war,” Britannica adds. (POLL: Do You Think it’s Easier to Find Work in January?)
Other Valentine’s Days?
History.com believes there are several potential Valentine’s Days throughout the calendar year, including the famous February 14. St. Valentine of Viterbo is celebrated on Nov. 3, while St. Valentine (Valentina) is the female version, honoring a virgin martyred in Palestine on July 25, A.D. 308.
Valentine was a popular name in ancient Rome, so there are many stories of different Valentine’s with different days dedicated to them. (LEARN MORE: No, The H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak Isn’t New)
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