Why Do We Celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on the 14th Day of February?

Every year on the 14th day of February in Kenya, we see ladies dressed in red. It may be a dress, a suit and hat or a trouser suit. Florists and other street vendors in major cities and towns usually have an extra-ordinary large number of red roses. They may be silk or they may be fresh blooms. Supermarket managers are seen to clear large retail spaces in their stores to display cards, chocolates, teddy bears and flowers on extravagantly decorated tables.

Gentlemen in short or long term relationships with ladies frantically make either lunch or dinner reservations at fine restaurants. Millions of other people purchase cards and other small tokens of affection and appreciation and send them to loved ones. Why is there all this flurry of activity surrounding the 14th day of February each year?

Looking into annals of the Catholic Churches history, there were several saints with the name Valentine. The most popular whom we remember the most, lived during the 3rd Century in Rome, Italy. It was during the reign of Emperor Claudius II when a decree was announced which outlawed marriage for soldiers. According to popular legend, Emperor Claudius II believed that single soldiers served their regiments better than married soldiers.

The priest Fr. Valentine was not happy about this decree. He believed that marriage in the Church was open to every one of the soldiers. Outlawing marriage for soldiers was a law that went against their human rights. Behind the back of Emperor Claudius II, Fr. Valentine performed the Sacrament of Marriage between young soldiers and their brides.

When the Emperor found out about the marriages performed by Fr. Valentine after he had issued a decree that soldiers should not get married he was furious. He ordered the execution of Fr. Valentine who was martyred on 14th February in AD 270.

By AD 300 people all over Europe had come to hear about the heroic stories of St. Valentine, who will forever be remembered for his sympathy towards persecuted Christians. This news spread from Rome into the towns and villages dotted around the Italian countryside. The news spread even further into Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, England, France and Germany. By AD 400 St. Valentine had by far become the most popular saint in Europe. So much so that Pope Gelasias, in the 5th Century, declared the day 14th February as St. Valentine’s Day.

The day was first marked as a day of romantic celebrations by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, when in his 1375 poem titled “Parliament of Foules” stated

“For this was sent on Seynt Valentine’s Day when every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

Coincidentally, 14th February in Europe is also the beginning of the bird’s mating season.

Soon thereafter, greeting cards started being sent to loved ones in large numbers. The first such greeting is alleged to have been written by Charles the Duke of Orleans. He wrote it to his wife in 1415 when imprisoned in the Tower of London. King Henry the Fifth is also remembered for contributing towards the growth of the tradition of sending a love note to a loved one. He is alleged to have hired John Lydgate, a writer, who composed a valentine’s note for Catherine of Valois.

By the middle of the 18th Century family, friends and lovers across Europe had started exchanging small tokens of affection and appreciation. The beginning of the Industrial Revolution saw the start of a change in this custom. Printed cards replaced hand written notes and poems. These printed cards became easily available to everyone. Postage in Europe was cheap at the time and almost anyone of some means could send a St. Valentine’s Day greeting card to a loved one.

Esther A. Howland whose family had migrated to North America begun designing and selling the first mass produced St. Valentine’s Day greeting cards. They were elaborate creations which were made using real lace. It did not take long for 14th February, St. Valentine’s Day to become the second largest card sending day, second only to 25th December, the day we celebrate the birth of our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The tradition of buying a greeting card, a red rose, some candy or cake or a soft toy, taking loved ones out for a special meal has spread to all corners of the world. From Russia with love, to Australia; China to Botswana; Kenya to Dubai; every one in the world remembers and celebrates St. Valentine’s Day.

This year, the day falls on a Monday. That means we have all weekend to plan it. What ideas do you have to surprise your loved ones? There are plenty of fresh flowers in bloom, fresh fruit in the open markets, and candy in stores, greeting cards both electronic and paper. The day comes but once a year. Brighten it up for at least one person in your life.

Happy St. Valentine’s Feast Day!