Blessed Valentine of Rome
Blessed Valentine of Rome (died 14 February, year uncertain, c. 269 AD, Rome, Italy) was an early Christian martyr and Roman deacon who was executed during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius II. He is venerated as the patron saint of lovers, engaged couples, and those seeking to be married, and his feast day (14 February) has become a secular holiday of romantic love across many cultures. The authentic historical details of his life are scarce, but he is recorded in the Roman Martyrology as having died as a martyr and having been buried on the Via Flaminia.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Valentine of Rome
| Blessed Valentine of Rome | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 14 |
| Profession | Deacon; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; early Christian martyrs |
| Patronage | Lovers and engaged couples; those seeking marriage; the sick (especially epilepsy); the plague (in some traditions) |
| Attributes | Palm of martyrdom; sometimes depicted with a bird; often shown with a heart pierced by an arrow (in later artistic traditions) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; executed by beheading under Emperor Claudius II |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint Praxedes, Rome |
| Liturgical Class | Feast in the Roman Rite; February 14; principal feast day of the patron of lovers |
| Historic Class | Double (February 14) in traditional calendars |
Biography
Valentine was a deacon of the Church at Rome during the third century. He is recorded in the Roman Martyrology as having lived under the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius II (ruled 268–270 AD), who had issued a decree forbidding young men to marry, believing unmarried soldiers fought more effectively in battle. Valentine, moved by compassion for young couples denied marriage, is said to have secretly performed Christian marriage ceremonies in defiance of this edict.
According to tradition, Valentine was eventually arrested and brought before Claudius II. When he refused to renounce his Christian faith and convert to the pagan gods, he was sentenced to death. He was executed by beheading on the Via Flaminia, on 14 February, and buried in that location. Later, a church was built over his tomb and he became venerated as a martyr of the early Church.
The details of his life have become intermingled with legend over the centuries, but his status as an early martyr who died for his faith is consistently attested in the liturgical tradition of the Roman Church. His association with love and marriage—stemming from the tradition that he performed secret Christian marriages—made his feast day a natural focal point for the celebration of romantic love across medieval and modern Christian culture.
Feast day
February 14 (Universal feast in the Catholic Church and many other Christian traditions; secular holiday of romantic love in many countries)
Veneration
Blessed Valentine is venerated worldwide as the patron of lovers and engaged couples. His feast day (14 February) is celebrated with particular solemnity in the Catholic tradition and has become the primary secular holiday associated with romantic love in many countries. He is honoured in all ancient Christian traditions as an early martyr of Rome. His tomb and relics are venerated at the Church of Saint Praxedes in Rome.
Prayers
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