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The 'real' St. Valentine was no patron of love

  • Written by Lisa Bitel, Professor of History & Religion, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The 'real' St. Valentine was no patron of loveRelics of St. Valentine of Terni at the basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin.Dnalor 01 (Own work) , CC BY-SA

On Feb. 14, sweethearts of all ages will exchange cards, flowers, candy, and more lavish gifts in the name of St. Valentine. But as a historian of Christianity, I can tell you that at the root of our modern holiday is a beautiful fiction. St....

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