Hallmark Holidays And Such...

I know, I know...Valentine's Day is just another Hallmark holiday designed to separate men from their wallets in an effort to woo women.  Chocolate and flowers and expensive dinners and such.  Is it possible there could be more?

While there are multiple Valentines, the holiday is usually based on Valentine, a third century priest during the Roman Empire who would illegally marry young couples, particularly soldiers.

History buffs will recall that in the third century, Rome had adversaries on three sides and was in massive distress at the possibility of being over run on three sides.  This Crisis Of The Third Century.  Emperor Claudius II banned marriage between the young as he believed that unmarried soldiers were more likely to fight strongly than their married counterparts.

Meanwhile Valentine believed firmly in the church's sacrament of marriage and would marry these couples in secret.  When he was found out he was thrown in prison and beat with clubs.  He was eventually beheaded on, you guessed it, 14 February.

Relics of St. Valentine are actually kept in Ireland of all places at the Whitefriar Carmelite Church.  Should you be in Dublin, this is a great opportunity to be part of the Saint who loved both love and the love the Church shows the world.