p44's comment ·
The story of Valentinus.
Saints with the name Valentinus can history note from
both the 3:rd and the 4:th century, despite this, you do
not quite know who this Valentine was.
Several martyrs have been documented with that name.
That the celebration originated in the Catholic Church,
it is clear, however. It was a Christian bishop who lived
in the 3:rd century in Terni, Italy. It's located about ten
miles north of Rome.
The bishop let consecrate couples who loved each other.
Getting married because of love was forbidden. He was
haunted for this and became a martyr - St. Valentine.
Before being executed, he managed to smuggle a letter
to his loved one. This was also his jailer's daughter.
From here comes the tradition of sending cards on
Valentine's Day (it should be lowercase letters
according to the dictionary).
This bishop, executed by Emperor Claudius, also had
the habit of giving flowers to the loving couple who got
married. Valentin became the patron saint of protection.