Some legends have it that the Valentines Day originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity on Feb. 14, 269 A.D. Today the Roman Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred. St. Valentine may have been imprisoned and later killed for helping Christians to escape harsh punishment in Roman prisons.
There is an interesting story portraying the love affair between St. Valentine and the jailor's daughter. St. Valentine left a farewell note for her, the note read- "from your Valentine². Valentine's Day is said to have started in the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans regarded her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the festival of Lupercalia, in honor of Lupercus, the hunter of wolves. Legends aside, the popularity of the Valentines Day rose manifold among the people and in tune with it Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine, the patron saint of love and romance.
