Every February 14, people around the world celebrate Valentine's Day in honor of Saint Valentine. However, the historical figure of this Roman priest and martyr in the Catholic Church is not well known. The Catholic martyrdom catalog details two figures named Valentine, and there is speculation that they may be the same person due to their shared martyrdom on the Via Flaminia and the significance of February 14 as their feast day.

According to Catholic records, the earliest accounts point to a Roman priest named Valentine who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius Gothicus (268-270). Celebrated for his holiness, Valentine was summoned by the emperor, who attempted to convince him to convert to his polytheistic beliefs, ultimately to no avail. As a result, the emperor tasked Asterius, one of his officers, with the responsibility of converting Valentine, further emphasizing the tension between the rising Christian faith and the Roman state-sponsored religion at the time.

The narrative surrounding Valentine's Day is not just a tale of love but also reflects the broader context of early Christian persecution during the Roman Empire. This gives the day a dual significance; it is both a celebration of romantic love and a commemoration of a martyr who stood firm in his beliefs against an empire that sought to suppress them. As Valentine's Day continues to be celebrated globally, it serves not only as a reminder of love between couples but also as a historical reflection on religious struggle and resilience.