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The history about the origin of Valentine's Day varies, as there were apparently three different people named Valentines! The generally acccepted version is that he was Valentinus, a priest in Rome in the 3rd century AD. He was known to have been a great friend to young people, and encouraged marriage. This angered Claudius II, because a married soldier would give his first allegiance to his wife, not to his Emperor! When he tried to convert the Pagan Emperor to Christianity, he was sentenced to be executed. While imprisoned, awaiting his death, he is said to have restored sight to the jailer's blind daughter. In fact, he left her a note signed, "Your Valentine", and that may have been the very first valentine.
In Roman times, a Pagan holiday, called the Feast of Lupercal, celebrated the festive joys of spring, culminating with the drawing of names in a great urn on a scared altar. That name would be the chosen mate for the coming year.
Romans brought many Pagan holidays to England, where, as Christianity strengthened, a great effort was made to eliminate them. Because of the great popularity of this event, the name was changed to honor St. Valentinus, patron of lovers, who was martyred on February 14, 270. And so, we basically have the continuation of the Pagan custom, with a Christian name!! Everyone was happy.
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