This article is about the romantic holiday and liturgical celebration. For the Bing Crosby album, see Valentine’s day gift wrapping paper. Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century.
The 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14. Saint Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in any country, although it is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Church. Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. He is buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location from Valentine of Rome. February 14 is celebrated as St.