St. Valentine's Day - where did it come from? - Herman L Hoeh - January 1965

Herman L Hoeh

Where did the custom of exchanging valentines originate? How did Christians come to inherit this ancient Roman custom? Why do we find no such practice commanded anywhere in the Bible? A Christian Custom? It is time we questioned why parents encourage children to celebrate St. Valentine's Day - when it is never so much as mentioned in the Bible. Did you know that centuries before Christ's birth the pagan Romans exchanged valentines at this same season? On February 15 and on the evening of February 14 they celebrated an idolatrous festival in honor of their "valentine" - Lupercus, the "hunter of wolves"? The Romans called the festival the "Lupercalia." - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library