What is a valentine?

Answer 1

Historical archives talk of at least three different individuals known by the name of Saint Valentine and associated with Valentine's Day celebration of February 14. Some scholars even talk of the presence of as many as seven Saint Valentine all of whom lived in the Third Century and apparently died on February 14. Discussed here are the legends of three saints who were all martyred for their faith and have been recognized by the Catholic Church. Some scholars say that these saints were not separate individuals and are likely to be one and the same. Since these saints lived during the reign of the same Roman emperor and are believed to have died on the same day, this assumption seems to have some validity.

Answer 2

St. Valentine of Rome was a priest, possibly a bishop, in the third century. When the Roman Emperor made marriage illegal (he was having trouble rasing an army because he could not draft married men) Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. That did not please the emperor so he had Valentine thrown into prison and then beaten and beheaded about the year 269. Shortly before he was killed he sent a note to a young girl who had befriended him asking her to remain faithful to God. He signed it "From Your Valentine."

Answer 3

St. Valentine was a priest in the third century who was executed because he refused to abandon his faith. He is remembered every year on Valentine's Day.

Answer 4

If you want to define Valentine you can say that "a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day"