Who was Saint Valentine? When did he live? Everything you need to know ahead of Valentine's Day

 

 Saint: Valentine is widely believed to have been alive in the third-century

With Valentine's Day fast approaching we've collated all the information on the man himself to give you a handy guide Valentine's Day is nearly upon us.

Loved-up couples all over are preparing for the most romantic day of the year.
And singletons alike are cursing their luck, as another V Day slips by without someone they love.
But where does Valentine's Day come from? Who was Saint Valentine?
Never fear, we've got you covered.

Who is he?

Stories about Saint Valentine are scarce and vary wildly, but he is widely believed to have been a third-century Roman saint.

When did he live?

According to the official biography of the Diocese of Terni, Bishop Valentine was born and lived in Interamna.
He was apparently imprisoned and tortured in Rome on February 14, 273.
His body was then buried in a hurry at a nearby cemetery, before his disciples later came and carried him home.
There is dispute however with as many as three saints that could have been Valentine himself.

What did he do?

According to some tales he helped Christians - a crime at the time - by helping them marry and other deeds. The emperor arrested him and when he did not die by stoning, he was beheaded.
Another popular story is that he helped restore a young blind girl's sight. After convincing others of his faith he was then executed by the emperor.

When did he die?

Various dates are given - 269, 270 or 273.

Where are his remains now?

A skull believed to be his is held in glass in Rome, but that isn't the whole story.
Parts of his skull could also be in Chelmno in Poland.
His shoulder blade is in the Czech Republic and is now on permanent display in a church in Prague.
There are also said to be remains in Dublin, Roquemare in France, Glasgow and Florissant in Missouri.

Was there more than one Saint Valentine?

Reports are sketchy but there could have been as many as three different saints associated with the 14th February.
However there are as many as 11 other saints with the name Valentine commemorated in the Roman Catholic Church.

Where does the Valentine's Day come from?

The death of one or more saints bearing the name Valentine were linked to February 14.
In places Valentine's Day is suggested to have been created as an antidote to the pagan holiday of Lupercalia - mid-February in Rome.
Alternatively in the middle ages it was believed that birds paired into couples in mid-February.
This was then in turn associated with Saint Valentine.
The day was first associated with romance by author Geoffrey Chaucer.
In the 18th century it evolved into an occasion which saw people exchange their love in form of gifts, flowers and, in more modern times, greetings cards.