VALENTINE DAYS

Numerous early Christian  martyrs were named Valentine.The Valentines honored on Februari 14are Valentine of Rome (valentines persb. M. Romae)and Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred abaut AD 269and was buried on the Via Flamina. The flower crow ned skull of St Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin,Rome.Other relics are found in the Basilica of Santa Prassede,also in Rome,as well as at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin,Ireland.

   
Valentine of Terni became bishop of Internama (modern Terni) abaut AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the percution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the via Flaminia, but in a different location than Falentine of Rome. His relics are the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).

The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was metioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him. Saint Valentine’s head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster, Winchester an venerated.