Every February 14, couples around the world celebrate love in the name of Saint Valentine. But who exactly was he, and how did he become the patron saint of romance?
Moreover, did you know that the Orthodox Church has its own saints of love, the couple Aquila and Priscilla, with Saint Hyacinth offering an alternative celebration rooted in Eastern tradition?
The enigmatic Saint Valentine
The origins of Saint Valentine are shrouded in mystery. What is certain, however, is that he was martyred on February 14 along the Via Flaminia, north of Rome. Beyond this, historical records remain unclear as to whether Valentine was a single individual or two different saints who shared the same name. Due to these inconsistencies, the Orthodox Church has never officially recognised him, and even the Catholic Church downgraded his feast day to a local celebration in 1969.
One of the most well-known legends suggests that Valentine was a priest who lived in the 3rd century under Emperor Claudius II. The emperor had forbidden marriages for young soldiers, believing that single men made better warriors. Defying this decree, Valentine secretly officiated Christian weddings, leading to his arrest. Initially, Claudius II showed leniency, but when Valentine attempted to convert him to Christianity, the emperor ordered his execution by stoning. When he survived, he was ultimately beheaded on February 14, 269 AD.
Another version of the legend claims that Valentine was a former bishop of Terni, a city in central Italy. He was placed under house arrest by Judge Asterius, who, in an effort to test his faith, presented his blind foster daughter and challenged Valentine to restore her sight. Miraculously, the girl regained her vision, prompting the judge and his entire household to convert to Christianity. However, this newfound faith angered Emperor Claudius, leading to Valentine’s arrest and eventual execution.
It wasn’t until the 14th century that Valentine’s Day became synonymous with romance. The first literary reference to Saint Valentine as a figure of love appears in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1382 poem Parlement of Foules, which links the saint’s feast day to courtly love traditions.
Today, Valentine’s Day is recognised by the Anglican and Lutheran churches, while in Eastern Orthodox tradition, two different Saint Valentines are commemorated—one on July 6 and another on July 30. Despite this, the modern world continues to celebrate love on February 14, with the decorated relics of Saint Valentine displayed at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin, Rome.
The Orthodox perspective of Saint Hyacinth and the two lover saints
While Saint Valentine has become a global icon, the Orthodox Church has its own saints associated with love. On February 13, the Church honours Saints Aquila and Priscilla, a married couple known for their deep devotion to faith and love. Meanwhile, Saint Hyacinth has emerged as a more direct counterpart to Saint Valentine.
Celebrated on July 3, Saint Hyacinth was a chamberlain in the court of Emperor Trajan in 98 AD. When he refused to renounce his Christian faith, he was imprisoned and ultimately martyred at the young age of 20. Over time, he came to be revered as a saint of youthful love and devotion.
In Greece, particularly in the village of Anogeia, Crete, Saint Hyacinth is honored with special festivities. A small, hidden stone chapel on the slopes of Mount Psiloritis is dedicated to him—symbolising love’s secrecy and sacred nature.
The late Archbishop Christodoulos of Greece sought to promote Orthodox alternatives to Valentine’s Day, suggesting February 13 as a day for couples to celebrate their love through Saints Aquila and Priscilla. Meanwhile, in 1994, theologian Giannis Chatzifotis proposed July 3 as the Orthodox equivalent of Valentine’s Day, focusing on Saint Hyacinth’s legacy.
