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What Is The True Meaning Behind Valentine's Day?

The day is finally here! From the finest boxes of chocolates, the reddest roses to heart-adorned cards, the annual event has gone from people showing their love and affection to being heavily commercialised.

So what is the true meaning of Valentine's Day?

Originally a Christian celebration honouring Saint Valentine, Valentine's Day was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496. Valentine a Roman Priest, was imprisoned by the Emperor Claudias II, for secretly marrying Christian couples. Claudias II, believed unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers as they had nothing to lose.

Whilst imprisoned and attempting to convert the emperor to Christianity, Valentine fell in love with the warden's daughter. Executed on February 14 in Rome's Via Flaminia, Valentine sent the warden's daughter a love letter signed, "from your Valentine."

What can you learn from

Valentine's Day?

Father Frank O'Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland, says,

"Valentine has come to be known as the patron saint of lovers. Before you enter into a Christian marriage you want some sense of God in your life—some great need of God in your life. And we know, particularly in the modern world, many people are meeting God through his Son, Jesus Christ."

"If Valentine were here today, he would say to married couples that there comes a time where you're going to have to suffer. It's not going to be easy to maintain your commitment and your vows in marriage. Don't be surprised if the 'gushing' love that you have for someone changes to something less "gushing" but maybe much more mature."

"Love—human love and sexuality is wonderful, and blessed by God—but also the shadow of the cross. That's what Valentine means to me."

Please share below what Valentine's Day means to you. Oh, and, Happy Valentine's Day!