Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, [1] is celebrated annually on February 14. [2] It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine , and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century. Why the history of Valentine's Day is so complicated Learn how St. Valentine, an ancient Roman festival, and the poet Geoffrey Chaucer all contribute to the history of Valentine's Day. The History of Valentine's Day, and Why We Celebrate. Valentine’s Day may be associated with romance, but the history of the holiday isn’t exactly lovey-dovey. Here are the facts you may not know—plus, fun ideas for Valentine's Day 2025. Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated every February 14; this year Valentine's Day falls on a Friday. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts We do not suggest resurrecting this practice to celebrate Valentine's Day 2025 with your loved one. Pope declared Feb. 14 as Valentine's Day in 5th Century Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St The Times notes that Jack B. Oruch, a late University of Kansas English professor, credits Chaucer for modern ideas about Valentine's Day. Through his research, Oruch asserted that there was no significant written record linking romantic tradition to St. Valentine's Day until Chaucer wrote his 14th-century works "The Parlement of Foules" and So, if you’re curious about why we celebrate Valentine’s Day, or why it’s even held on Feb. 14th, keep reading! Pope Gelasius I integrated Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day in the Today is Valentine's Day, a day dedicated to all things L-O-V-E! Valentine's Day, which is also known as St Valentine's Day, is celebrated every year on the 14 February around the world. Valentine’s Day is a romantic holiday celebrated each year on February 14. Learn about St. Valentine, Valentine's Day quotes and the ancient origins of Valentine's Day. The Feast of Saint Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine's Day, was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr. [41] A shrine of Saint Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland. February 14 is Saint Valentine's Day in the Lutheran calendar of saints. [12] However, in the liturgy, most Roman Catholics don't actually celebrate St. Valentine on February 14. The general calendar states that February 14 is the obligatory memorial of "Sts.Cyril and Methodius Today is Valentine's Day, a day dedicated to all things L-O-V-E! Valentine's Day, which is also known as St Valentine's Day, is celebrated every year on the 14 February around the world. Almost one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year on or near February 14 with females purchasing 85% of the cards. This is second only to the number of Christmas cards sent. The history is somewhat murky as to how Valentine’s Day has come to be what we now know and celebrate. Saint Valentine served in third-century Rome. 3. Greece: Honoring St. Hyacinth. Valentine’s Day traditions became somewhat popular in Greece in the 1970s and many choose to hold their weddings on this day. Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, and the rest is this history. We do not suggest resurrecting this practice to celebrate Valentine's Day 2025 with your loved one. The origins of Valentine's Day. Like so many other European traditions and holidays, Valentine's Day is a combination of both a pagan and a Christian festivity: the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, and the Christian feast day of Saint Valentine. Lupercalia Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the fifth century by combining St. Valentine's Day with Lupercalia to expel the Valentine’s Day began as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine. The feast was first established by Pope Gelasius I to honor one or two saints named Valentinus for being martyred on February 14. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, it’s more than just a time for flowers and chocolates; it is a moment to honor someone who loved others so profoundly that he sacrificed everything. Saint Valentines story serves as a powerful lesson, encouraging us to be kind, loving and steadfast in standing up for our beliefs, no matter how daunting the Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, has deep-rooted history. Discover how this day of love came to be and the legends that make it so special. Valentine's Day 2025: Valentine's Day is just
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