The Roman God Lupercus watched over shepherds and their flocks to keep the wolves at bay. In his honor there was a spring feast on February 15th. The calendar used at the time was different than the one we currently use and February was in the spring. The celebration of this feast lasted for 800 years until the war in the Roman Empire.
There was a desperate need for soldiers, but married men didn?t want to leave their families nor younger men their sweethearts. The Emperor at the time, Claudius II (or Claudius the Cruel), didn?t have enough soldiers so he outlawed marriages, engagements, and all associated ceremonies. He thought this would provide him with more able bodies to use as soldiers. A Christian priest named Valentine, who was much loved by the Romans, secretly united couples. Claudius found out and tried to convert Valentine who in turn tried to convert Claudius. Eventually the Emperor sent Valentine to prison where he languished and died.
Saint Valentine?s remains were buried at the church of St. Praxedes in the year 270 B.C. on the 14th day of February. The Patron Saint Valentine replaced the Roman God Lupercus when the holiday was changed from a pagan tradition to Christian.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
There was a desperate need for soldiers, but married men didn?t want to leave their families nor younger men their sweethearts. The Emperor at the time, Claudius II (or Claudius the Cruel), didn?t have enough soldiers so he outlawed marriages, engagements, and all associated ceremonies. He thought this would provide him with more able bodies to use as soldiers. A Christian priest named Valentine, who was much loved by the Romans, secretly united couples. Claudius found out and tried to convert Valentine who in turn tried to convert Claudius. Eventually the Emperor sent Valentine to prison where he languished and died.
Saint Valentine?s remains were buried at the church of St. Praxedes in the year 270 B.C. on the 14th day of February. The Patron Saint Valentine replaced the Roman God Lupercus when the holiday was changed from a pagan tradition to Christian.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!