Building on this , the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to reference “ St . Valentine ’ s Day ,” in 1375 , in a poem about birds : “ For this was sent on Saint Valentine ’ s Day , when every foul cometh there to choose his mate .” And as they say , “ The rest is history .”
Pretty much , after Chaucer , it became the thing for nobles to do , writing poems to their “ Valentines .” Notably , the Duke of Orleans , a poet , referenced St . Valentine ’ s Day and “ valentine ,” as a term of endearment , in some of his poems . The popularity of writing these Valentine ’ s Day poems helped to firmly establish February 14 as a day for lovers and romance .
Just as the greeting card industry has cashed in on the legend of St . Valentine , it seems like several churches have , too . Churches that display his “ remains ” draw many tourists and visitors every year , especially , on February 14 . There are around ten churches , from Rome to Dublin , that claim to have relics of the saint and ten different stories , to go along with them , of how said relics came to rest at the churches .
One of the most visually striking relics that I saw , when doing my research online , was a skull , decorated with flowers , on display in a glass reliquary in Rome ’ s Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin . Letters painted across its forehead identify it as St . Valentine .
St . Valentine Kneeling in Supplication ( David Teniers III , 1600s ) Valentine kneels to receive a rosary from the Virgin Mary
Although the Roman Catholic Church removed St . Valentine from its General Roman Calendar , in 1969 , because of his vague history , he is still recognized as a saint by the church . He ’ s actually the patron saint of quite a diverse group of things , aside from love and lovers . The list includes epilepsy and plague , fainting , bee keepers , travelers , greetings , young people and , of course , engaged couples and happy marriages .
Knowing the actual , historical facts about the real man named Valentine , who was martyred sometime in the Third Century , seems unimportant in the light of the power of the legends that inspired an entire day dedicated to love . A day that has grown to include expressions of love not just to a significant other or lover , but also expressions of love to your family . When I was growing-up , my brother and I always received valentines from our parents .
Throughout the year , families get busy with just the dayto-day minutia and do forget to express their love for one another with more than just a rushed “ l love you ” while heading out the door to work or school . On Valentine ’ s Day , you actually stop and think about the person when you ’ re choosing the card that says what you feel or the gift that will bring a smile to your loved one ’ s face .
So , whoever the “ real Valentine ” was , may he rest in peace with our gratitude ( and Hallmark ’ s gratitude , as well ) that we have another opportunity to catch-up on showing our loved ones that they are loved every day of the year .
LOVE
Love is patient and kind , it doesn ’ t envy or boast and is never proud . Love is not rude or selfish , it doesn ’ t get angry easily or keep track of wrongs . Love doesn ’ t delight in bad things but it rejoices in the truth . Love always protects , trusts , hopes and perseveres . Love never fails .
February 2025 | Valdosta Scene 35