“That love is everything, is all we know about love." Emily Dickinson, American poet
Who is the patron saint of lovers? - Couples know what happens on 14 February, a special date to mark on the calendar. There is already an electrifying atmosphere in the air, full of anticipation. The person responsible for all this excitement is a great and mysterious feeling, love. It is a powerful feeling that makes us want to dedicate this day to our partner and those closest to us.
That is why so much excitement. We feel the need to find the right idea to show the person we love respect, affection and trust. This is the day when we celebrate the joys we have shared, but also the difficulties that have allowed us to grow together. After all, love has the ability to fill our souls, giving us the strength we need to face life.
Yet, not everyone knows the origins of Valentine's Daythe patron saint of lovers to whom this festival is dedicated. What is its history?
The story of Valentine's Day
To answer this question, we must take a leap into the past and immerse ourselves in ancient Roman times. The martyr saint, in fact, was born in Terni (Umbria) around 175 AD and became the city's first bishop in 197 AD. The name Valentine comes from the Latin valorem tenenswhich maintains value', that is, one that perseveres in holiness. This explains why 'true love' is considered a feeling incapable of becoming corrupt, despite the passage of time. The term Valentine could also be related to the idea of "valiant soldier"i.e. soldier of Christ. Valentine actually waged a tough battle against idolatry and pagan gods, but his life was tragically marked.
Institution of Valentine's Day
According to tradition, St Valentine was the author of numerous miracles but is said to have obtained the appellation 'saint of love' because of the celebration of the marriage between the Roman legionary Sabinus and a young Christian girl Serapia. His death is traced back to 14 February 273 A.D. by order of the Roman prefect Placidus Furius during the persecutions ordered by Emperor Aurelius.
Its fault was that it replaced the ancient pagan ritual of the fertility festival, the Lupercaliawith a Christian religious sacrament. As far back as the 4th century BC, pagan Romans paid homage to the god Lupercus through a very special ritual: the names of the faithful, both men and women, were placed inside an urn and then mixed. Then, a child would randomly choose a few couples who would live in intimacy for an entire year so that the fertility rite could be accomplished. The following year, the combined 'coupling' dictated by fate would be done again, but with other couples.
What happened to the patron saint of lovers?
The replacement of the pagan feast with the celebration of this Christian martyr saint made it possible to unite the ancestral pagan fertility rites and the more morose Christian customs. Saint Valentine was a fundamental figure who ennobled the union of love and passion. His life was dedicated to the apostolate and service for others, induced the citizens of Terni to proclaim him 'Patron Saint' in 1644.
It is true that Valentine's Day's international fame is also due to the legend surrounding this character, a story born in the cold Anglo-Saxon countries and then spread all over the world. Legend has it that he used to give young people who visited him and asked for help a flower from his garden. One day, such a deep love was born between two of these young people that it led to a happy and enviable union, so much so that many other couples followed their example. This fact convinced him to dedicate one day of the year to a general wedding blessing. And the 14th of February was chosen as the day of celebration.
Now that you know the story of the patron saint of lovers, do you already have in mind what gift to give your loved one? If you're still up in the air and need some advice, you can take a look at our Valentine's Day wellness offers: Valentine's Day Spa Offers 2019
