From tursiart:
“If any of you are feeling alone and depressed today, just think of this poor slob; Saint Valentine himself, former Bishop of Terni. Beaten and beheaded on February 14, 269 on order of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus. The day was established as a holiday of feasting by Pope Gelasius in 496 AD. It was not associated with romance until Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the poem, Parlement of Foules around 1382 AD.
This reliquary containing Saint Valentine’s flower crowned skull rests at Basilica di Santa Maria in Rome, Italy.
Feel free to download and send as a macabre historical valentine to anyone you might fancy, and of course, Happy Valentines Day!”
41
Reading about historical hoaxes (this is my favorite) is making this afternoon so much better.
O____O
34
