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Centuries Collide

Cody Crouch: St. Valentine - The OG Of Love | Centuries Collide

February 8, 2025 | S1:E9

Cody Crouch: St. Valentine - The OG Of Love | Centuries Collide
There are so many legends surrounding the life of St. Valentine that he almost borders on the mythological. In this episode we travel to Rome to discover why we celebrate his day every year and why his legend has survived nearly 2000 years!
#Marriage #Leadership #Catholic #Christianity #WorldHistory #History #Culture #inActive #CodyCrouch #LGBTQ+ #Documentary

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Centuries Collide | Cody Crouch: St. Valentine - The OG Of Love | Centuries Collide | February 8, 2025
  • [music]
  • 00:00:00.523 --> 00:00:01.825
  • >> cody crouch: i'm cody crouch.
  • 00:00:01.825 --> 00:00:03.460
  • I'm traveling the globe, uncovering the origins of the
  • 00:00:03.460 --> 00:00:04.794
  • Stuff that we use every day.
  • 00:00:04.794 --> 00:00:08.131
  • On "centuries collide," we're re-creating some of history's
  • 00:00:08.131 --> 00:00:09.966
  • Greatest moments,
  • 00:00:09.966 --> 00:00:11.434
  • Exactly how they happened.
  • 00:00:11.434 --> 00:00:12.435
  • Well, almost exactly.
  • 00:00:12.435 --> 00:00:15.138
  • >> johannes gutenberg: the "gutenberg press."
  • 00:00:15.138 --> 00:00:16.840
  • [shouting]
  • 00:00:16.840 --> 00:00:18.575
  • >> joan of arc: charge.
  • 00:00:18.575 --> 00:00:20.944
  • >> cody: this is history like you've never seen it before.
  • 00:00:20.944 --> 00:00:24.314
  • [music]
  • 00:00:24.314 --> 00:00:29.319
  • >> cody: today everyone would agree,
  • 00:00:29.319 --> 00:00:31.554
  • "all you need is love."
  • 00:00:31.554 --> 00:00:32.388
  • From jesus to the beatles,
  • 00:00:32.388 --> 00:00:33.790
  • From william shakespeare to jane austen,
  • 00:00:33.790 --> 00:00:36.359
  • The power of love crosses time, borders,
  • 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:39.963
  • And is the universal value that brings people together.
  • 00:00:39.963 --> 00:00:44.100
  • Love drives the human experience.
  • 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:46.202
  • "when a man loves a woman,"
  • 00:00:46.202 --> 00:00:49.706
  • There "ain't no mountain high enough"
  • 00:00:49.706 --> 00:00:52.175
  • To keep you from feelin' that love is
  • 00:00:52.175 --> 00:00:53.643
  • "more than a feelin'."
  • 00:00:53.643 --> 00:00:56.746
  • And that's why we're here in rome to talk about a little
  • 00:00:56.746 --> 00:00:58.381
  • Romance.
  • 00:00:58.381 --> 00:01:01.784
  • See what i did there?
  • 00:01:01.784 --> 00:01:03.219
  • But in all seriousness, it's a tale as old as time.
  • 00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:07.090
  • It's a question that has not only consumed the minds of the
  • 00:01:07.090 --> 00:01:10.026
  • Greatest thinkers but captured the hearts of the greatest
  • 00:01:10.026 --> 00:01:12.295
  • Writers and poets throughout history.
  • 00:01:12.295 --> 00:01:14.330
  • What is love?
  • 00:01:14.330 --> 00:01:17.000
  • For one man, that question cost him his life and inspired the
  • 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:20.270
  • Holiday that we celebrate every february 14.
  • 00:01:20.270 --> 00:01:26.009
  • While we think of valentine's day as a day to spoil our
  • 00:01:26.009 --> 00:01:28.011
  • Significant others with flowers and chocolates and those
  • 00:01:28.011 --> 00:01:33.883
  • Terrible-tasting chalky heart things,
  • 00:01:33.883 --> 00:01:34.918
  • It all started in the third century
  • 00:01:34.918 --> 00:01:36.019
  • With a pretty gnarly dude
  • 00:01:36.019 --> 00:01:37.887
  • Whose story involves secret marriages,
  • 00:01:37.887 --> 00:01:40.023
  • An adopted blind girl,
  • 00:01:40.023 --> 00:01:42.892
  • And a powerful villain waging war on love itself.
  • 00:01:42.892 --> 00:01:45.795
  • Buckle up.
  • 00:01:45.795 --> 00:01:47.163
  • This ain't your typical rom-com.
  • 00:01:47.163 --> 00:01:49.332
  • This is valentine's day: the true story.
  • 00:01:49.332 --> 00:01:52.969
  • [music]
  • 00:01:52.969 --> 00:01:55.972
  • >> cody: today, valentine's day is considered the most
  • 00:01:55.972 --> 00:01:57.941
  • Romantic day of the year, right?
  • 00:01:57.941 --> 00:02:01.311
  • But if we pull back the modern-day curtain of candy,
  • 00:02:01.311 --> 00:02:05.548
  • Cupids, and cards,
  • 00:02:05.548 --> 00:02:07.250
  • What we find is a little less romantic
  • 00:02:07.250 --> 00:02:09.519
  • Or a little more gruesome.
  • 00:02:09.519 --> 00:02:12.589
  • To say that valentine's day has evolved throughout the centuries
  • 00:02:12.589 --> 00:02:14.857
  • Would be quite the understatement.
  • 00:02:14.857 --> 00:02:17.093
  • What began with beheadings,
  • 00:02:17.093 --> 00:02:20.096
  • Religious persecution, and a little bit of paganism
  • 00:02:20.096 --> 00:02:23.333
  • Has now become a holiday we associate with
  • 00:02:23.333 --> 00:02:25.401
  • Love and affection.
  • 00:02:25.401 --> 00:02:27.270
  • How that happened is quite the story.
  • 00:02:27.270 --> 00:02:30.506
  • I'm sure a lot of people have wondered
  • 00:02:30.506 --> 00:02:32.375
  • Is there a legitimate historical significance
  • 00:02:32.375 --> 00:02:35.311
  • Behind valentine's day?
  • 00:02:35.311 --> 00:02:37.180
  • Or is it just another way for companies to make, like,
  • 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:39.115
  • Bajillions of dollars selling flowers and tasty sweets?
  • 00:02:39.115 --> 00:02:43.186
  • To be honest, it's a little bit of both.
  • 00:02:43.186 --> 00:02:46.589
  • Companies will never turn down a good opportunity
  • 00:02:46.589 --> 00:02:48.558
  • To make a quick buck,
  • 00:02:48.558 --> 00:02:50.260
  • And there really was a historical dude
  • 00:02:50.260 --> 00:02:53.363
  • Or perhaps even dudes named valentine,
  • 00:02:53.363 --> 00:02:58.635
  • Three different guys,
  • 00:02:58.635 --> 00:03:00.937
  • Three different guys named valentine,
  • 00:03:00.937 --> 00:03:04.007
  • That have legitimate ties to being martyred on february 14,
  • 00:03:04.007 --> 00:03:06.542
  • 1,700 years ago.
  • 00:03:06.542 --> 00:03:09.679
  • Now, 1,700 years is a long time
  • 00:03:09.679 --> 00:03:12.348
  • To maintain accurate information,
  • 00:03:12.348 --> 00:03:15.018
  • But thanks to a group of belgian jesuits in the 16th century,
  • 00:03:15.018 --> 00:03:18.521
  • We have written accounts of who these three valentine guys
  • 00:03:18.521 --> 00:03:22.158
  • Might have been.
  • 00:03:22.158 --> 00:03:23.960
  • The jesuits meticulously combed history
  • 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:27.430
  • And preserved these records
  • 00:03:27.430 --> 00:03:28.498
  • About the catholic saints and their legends,
  • 00:03:28.498 --> 00:03:31.567
  • In the hache geographical book called
  • 00:03:31.567 --> 00:03:32.935
  • The "acta sanctorum."
  • 00:03:32.935 --> 00:03:36.205
  • It's basically a big book that contains a bunch of stories of
  • 00:03:36.205 --> 00:03:38.174
  • Catholic saints.
  • 00:03:38.174 --> 00:03:41.844
  • According to these ancient records,
  • 00:03:41.844 --> 00:03:43.179
  • The earliest valentine was a guy martyred
  • 00:03:43.179 --> 00:03:43.946
  • In a roman province of africa.
  • 00:03:43.946 --> 00:03:47.450
  • Other than that, literally nothing else is known about him,
  • 00:03:47.450 --> 00:03:49.352
  • But the other two valentines are much more documented.
  • 00:03:49.352 --> 00:03:53.489
  • One was a priest here in rome,
  • 00:03:53.489 --> 00:03:55.291
  • And the other was the bishop of terni, italy,
  • 00:03:55.291 --> 00:03:58.227
  • Just north of here.
  • 00:03:58.227 --> 00:03:59.495
  • All three of these guys have the same thing in common:
  • 00:03:59.495 --> 00:04:02.398
  • They are all said to have been martyred on february 14,
  • 00:04:02.398 --> 00:04:07.003
  • The day we celebrate valentine's day.
  • 00:04:07.003 --> 00:04:08.971
  • >> male: ooh, what time is it?
  • 00:04:08.971 --> 00:04:12.308
  • It's valentine's.
  • 00:04:12.308 --> 00:04:14.911
  • Ha-ha-ha-haaa.
  • 00:04:14.911 --> 00:04:16.879
  • >> cody: now, i know what you might be thinking:
  • 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:18.081
  • "three guys, all named valentine,
  • 00:04:18.081 --> 00:04:20.116
  • Martyred on the same day?
  • 00:04:20.116 --> 00:04:23.319
  • Sounds kind of fishy."
  • 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:24.554
  • Well, it's the records we have.
  • 00:04:24.554 --> 00:04:27.156
  • But if you're tryin' to figure out which legends
  • 00:04:27.156 --> 00:04:29.759
  • Belongs to which valentine,
  • 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.795
  • That's where it gets tricky.
  • 00:04:32.795 --> 00:04:35.231
  • Because of this, it's nearly impossible to say with certainty
  • 00:04:35.231 --> 00:04:38.201
  • Where one valentine's story ends
  • 00:04:38.201 --> 00:04:41.571
  • And the other valentine's story begins.
  • 00:04:41.571 --> 00:04:43.840
  • All we have to go off is legend.
  • 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:46.442
  • It's commonly believed that,
  • 00:04:46.442 --> 00:04:48.211
  • Because the two roman valentines lived, died, and were buried
  • 00:04:48.211 --> 00:04:51.681
  • Roughly in the same place,
  • 00:04:51.681 --> 00:04:54.150
  • That they might actually be the same guy.
  • 00:04:54.150 --> 00:04:58.287
  • Thus, their stories and legends probably belong to one man,
  • 00:04:58.287 --> 00:05:02.692
  • And that's how we're gonna tell this story.
  • 00:05:02.692 --> 00:05:05.261
  • [music]
  • 00:05:05.261 --> 00:05:07.163
  • First off, the roman empire,
  • 00:05:07.163 --> 00:05:09.465
  • In the middle of the third century, was a serious mess.
  • 00:05:09.465 --> 00:05:12.769
  • The peaceful days of the roman rule had been over
  • 00:05:12.769 --> 00:05:14.604
  • For about a century,
  • 00:05:14.604 --> 00:05:16.105
  • And rome was facing threats both internal and external.
  • 00:05:16.105 --> 00:05:19.342
  • The empire, as a whole, was in a constant state of crisis,
  • 00:05:19.342 --> 00:05:23.646
  • And to make things worse, the sitting roman emperor,
  • 00:05:23.646 --> 00:05:26.849
  • Gallienus, had just been murdered.
  • 00:05:26.849 --> 00:05:30.286
  • Great.
  • 00:05:30.286 --> 00:05:32.188
  • Enter the new roman emperor, claudius gothicus ii.
  • 00:05:32.188 --> 00:05:36.125
  • Claudius ii, was a pretty bad dude.
  • 00:05:36.125 --> 00:05:40.563
  • He gained his position and the respect of his soldiers
  • 00:05:40.563 --> 00:05:42.965
  • By being especially hardcore.
  • 00:05:42.965 --> 00:05:46.335
  • In fact, his name was "claudius the cruel."
  • 00:05:46.335 --> 00:05:49.972
  • >> claudius ii: "claudius the cruel"?
  • 00:05:49.972 --> 00:05:51.474
  • Come on.
  • 00:05:51.474 --> 00:05:52.108
  • I wasn't that cruel...
  • 00:05:52.108 --> 00:05:54.610
  • Except for that one time.
  • 00:05:54.610 --> 00:05:56.345
  • >> cody: granted, he was a barbarian, like,
  • 00:05:56.345 --> 00:05:59.549
  • Literally a barbarian by birth.
  • 00:05:59.549 --> 00:06:04.086
  • When claudius came to power,
  • 00:06:04.086 --> 00:06:05.154
  • His main objective as emperor was to retake
  • 00:06:05.154 --> 00:06:07.256
  • The outer-lying territories of his empire
  • 00:06:07.256 --> 00:06:09.292
  • That were under constant attack from the invading goths.
  • 00:06:09.292 --> 00:06:12.962
  • This meant war and lots of it.
  • 00:06:12.962 --> 00:06:16.632
  • Inside the roman empire,
  • 00:06:16.632 --> 00:06:18.434
  • The citizens of rome were tired of constant war
  • 00:06:18.434 --> 00:06:21.904
  • And were seeking an alternative to the violent lifestyle
  • 00:06:21.904 --> 00:06:25.475
  • Of the roman culture.
  • 00:06:25.475 --> 00:06:27.543
  • Those people were quickly finding
  • 00:06:27.543 --> 00:06:29.045
  • That the message of a first century jew
  • 00:06:29.045 --> 00:06:31.514
  • To be exactly what they were looking for.
  • 00:06:31.514 --> 00:06:33.916
  • [clang, clang]
  • 00:06:33.916 --> 00:06:36.919
  • >> soldier 1: you know, i'm just so sick and tired of fightin'
  • 00:06:36.919 --> 00:06:38.654
  • All these wars all the time.
  • 00:06:38.654 --> 00:06:40.823
  • >> soldier 2: yeah, me too.
  • 00:06:40.823 --> 00:06:42.124
  • [country accent]
  • 00:06:42.124 --> 00:06:43.326
  • >> male: excuse me, fellas, but i was just wonderin'
  • 00:06:43.326 --> 00:06:44.193
  • If either of you two found jesus?
  • 00:06:44.193 --> 00:06:47.530
  • >> soldier 1: um, didn't know we were supposed to be lookin'
  • 00:06:47.530 --> 00:06:51.501
  • For him.
  • 00:06:51.501 --> 00:06:52.768
  • >> soldier 2: call me when he walks on water, hah.
  • 00:06:52.768 --> 00:06:54.170
  • >> male: ring, ring.
  • 00:06:54.170 --> 00:06:56.939
  • >> cody: christianity was largely persecuted
  • 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:59.242
  • In the first and second centuries,
  • 00:06:59.242 --> 00:07:00.943
  • But by the time claudius had come to power
  • 00:07:00.943 --> 00:07:03.479
  • In the third century,
  • 00:07:03.479 --> 00:07:05.114
  • Widespread persecution had been downgraded
  • 00:07:05.114 --> 00:07:08.317
  • To general discrimination.
  • 00:07:08.317 --> 00:07:11.621
  • For the most part, christians lived in relative peace
  • 00:07:11.621 --> 00:07:14.290
  • Within their communities.
  • 00:07:14.290 --> 00:07:15.925
  • Now, don't get me wrong.
  • 00:07:15.925 --> 00:07:17.126
  • They were still outsiders, and prejudice existed,
  • 00:07:17.126 --> 00:07:20.129
  • But at least they weren't bein' fed to the lions-- yet.
  • 00:07:20.129 --> 00:07:25.801
  • [music]
  • 00:07:25.801 --> 00:07:29.338
  • >> cody: meanwhile, under the rule of claudius the cruel,
  • 00:07:29.338 --> 00:07:31.607
  • Rome was involved in many long, bloody, brutal campaigns.
  • 00:07:31.607 --> 00:07:36.045
  • Now, let's be clear.
  • 00:07:36.045 --> 00:07:38.014
  • Claudius was an excellent commander.
  • 00:07:38.014 --> 00:07:40.383
  • In fact, he goes down
  • 00:07:40.383 --> 00:07:42.351
  • As one of the greatest military leaders in roman history,
  • 00:07:42.351 --> 00:07:44.720
  • And his campaigns against the goths are legendary,
  • 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:49.392
  • But the way he won his wars was extremely unpopular
  • 00:07:49.392 --> 00:07:53.696
  • With the roman citizens.
  • 00:07:53.696 --> 00:07:56.165
  • His strategy was overwhelming manpower.
  • 00:07:56.165 --> 00:07:59.335
  • He knew that the more men he put on the frontline,
  • 00:07:59.335 --> 00:08:01.837
  • The better chance he had to achieve victory.
  • 00:08:01.837 --> 00:08:04.507
  • He would basically just throw a ton of men on the frontlines
  • 00:08:04.507 --> 00:08:07.743
  • And yell.
  • 00:08:07.743 --> 00:08:08.611
  • Because of this type of strategy,
  • 00:08:08.611 --> 00:08:12.114
  • Emperor claudius had to constantly maintain
  • 00:08:12.114 --> 00:08:14.784
  • A massive army.
  • 00:08:14.784 --> 00:08:17.820
  • This resulted in tens of thousands of men
  • 00:08:17.820 --> 00:08:20.122
  • Being drafted into the army
  • 00:08:20.122 --> 00:08:21.724
  • And spending years of their life away from home.
  • 00:08:21.724 --> 00:08:24.393
  • So why is this important?
  • 00:08:24.393 --> 00:08:26.963
  • Well, it sounds kind of weird, but it's simple.
  • 00:08:26.963 --> 00:08:31.767
  • In rome, a loophole existed that made married men exempt from
  • 00:08:31.767 --> 00:08:35.004
  • Having to go to war.
  • 00:08:35.004 --> 00:08:36.238
  • >> male: next.
  • 00:08:36.238 --> 00:08:36.706
  • Name?
  • 00:08:36.706 --> 00:08:38.975
  • >> mclovin: mclovin.
  • 00:08:38.975 --> 00:08:41.344
  • >> male: age?
  • 00:08:41.344 --> 00:08:42.478
  • >> mclovin: fifteen and a half.
  • 00:08:42.478 --> 00:08:45.815
  • >> male: i'm gonna need to see some identification.
  • 00:08:45.815 --> 00:08:47.149
  • >> mclovin: it's in my car?
  • 00:08:47.149 --> 00:08:49.285
  • >> cody: so it makes perfect sense
  • 00:08:49.285 --> 00:08:51.220
  • That a bunch of young, single dudes
  • 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:52.622
  • Started exploiting this loophole by getting married
  • 00:08:52.622 --> 00:08:56.425
  • To avoid the draft.
  • 00:08:56.425 --> 00:08:57.994
  • Male: (deep sigh) you've checked here that you're married.
  • 00:08:57.994 --> 00:09:03.666
  • You got yourself a wife?
  • 00:09:03.666 --> 00:09:04.867
  • >> mclovin: just last month.
  • 00:09:04.867 --> 00:09:06.902
  • >> male: really.
  • 00:09:06.902 --> 00:09:08.771
  • >> mclovin: we're expecting too.
  • 00:09:08.771 --> 00:09:11.107
  • >> male: interesting.
  • 00:09:11.107 --> 00:09:12.942
  • Nope.
  • 00:09:12.942 --> 00:09:14.510
  • You're exempt.
  • 00:09:14.510 --> 00:09:16.078
  • >> claudius ii: these young men all gettin' married.
  • 00:09:16.078 --> 00:09:17.847
  • I don't know why they do it.
  • 00:09:17.847 --> 00:09:20.349
  • If they could see how mine is,
  • 00:09:20.349 --> 00:09:22.518
  • They'd run straight to the battlefront.
  • 00:09:22.518 --> 00:09:24.020
  • >> cody: but in claudius's mind,
  • 00:09:24.020 --> 00:09:26.989
  • These draft dodgers were putting the entire empire at risk.
  • 00:09:26.989 --> 00:09:29.959
  • So what does he do?
  • 00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:31.193
  • He outlaws marriage.
  • 00:09:31.193 --> 00:09:33.896
  • Who does that?
  • 00:09:33.896 --> 00:09:36.899
  • [cheerfully singing]
  • 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:38.334
  • >> male: more wedding invitations.
  • 00:09:38.334 --> 00:09:43.139
  • >> claudius ii: everybody's getting married.
  • 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:44.540
  • >> male: isn't it exciting?
  • 00:09:44.540 --> 00:09:45.708
  • >> claudius ii: no, it is not.
  • 00:09:45.708 --> 00:09:48.310
  • It is costing me an army and a leg.
  • 00:09:48.310 --> 00:09:50.046
  • That's it.
  • 00:09:50.046 --> 00:09:50.680
  • Marriage is canceled.
  • 00:09:50.680 --> 00:09:52.415
  • I'm on number five myself.
  • 00:09:52.415 --> 00:09:54.216
  • It's like a pair of shoes.
  • 00:09:54.216 --> 00:09:55.985
  • >> cody: at the time, rome was rife with immorality
  • 00:09:55.985 --> 00:09:58.587
  • And sexual promiscuity.
  • 00:09:58.587 --> 00:10:00.189
  • One of the hallmarks of the early christian church
  • 00:10:00.189 --> 00:10:03.159
  • Was to stand up for sexual purity
  • 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.126
  • And a godly marriage.
  • 00:10:04.126 --> 00:10:05.828
  • The church only promoted sexual relationships that took place
  • 00:10:05.828 --> 00:10:09.031
  • Within the confines of marriage.
  • 00:10:09.031 --> 00:10:11.567
  • And one of these early church leaders was our homeboy,
  • 00:10:11.567 --> 00:10:15.204
  • Valentine.
  • 00:10:15.204 --> 00:10:17.139
  • When the emperor declared marriages unlawful,
  • 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:20.609
  • Valentine defied this barbaric edict
  • 00:10:20.609 --> 00:10:23.279
  • And began performing marriages in secret.
  • 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:26.749
  • >> valentine: i know that marriage is not supposed to be
  • 00:10:26.749 --> 00:10:29.452
  • Happenin' right now,
  • 00:10:29.452 --> 00:10:30.586
  • But love must prevail.
  • 00:10:30.586 --> 00:10:34.090
  • Do you do?
  • 00:10:34.090 --> 00:10:37.827
  • >> female: i do.
  • 00:10:37.827 --> 00:10:38.994
  • >> valentine: mm.
  • 00:10:38.994 --> 00:10:40.596
  • And do you do?
  • 00:10:40.596 --> 00:10:41.497
  • >> male: yeah.
  • 00:10:41.497 --> 00:10:43.232
  • >> valentine: oh, man, that is just music to my ears.
  • 00:10:43.232 --> 00:10:46.702
  • >> claudius ii: secret marriages, huh?
  • 00:10:46.702 --> 00:10:49.271
  • Who does that?
  • 00:10:49.271 --> 00:10:51.207
  • >> cody: and because the demand for marriages skyrocketed
  • 00:10:51.207 --> 00:10:55.044
  • To get young men out of war,
  • 00:10:55.044 --> 00:10:57.446
  • Valentine became somewhat of an underground hero
  • 00:10:57.446 --> 00:10:59.181
  • For performing these marriages.
  • 00:10:59.181 --> 00:11:01.951
  • According to one legend, during the ceremony,
  • 00:11:01.951 --> 00:11:04.453
  • Valentine would cut out heart-shaped pieces of parchment
  • 00:11:04.453 --> 00:11:07.890
  • And give them to the couples
  • 00:11:07.890 --> 00:11:09.859
  • So that they would be reminded of their vows
  • 00:11:09.859 --> 00:11:11.527
  • And god's love for them.
  • 00:11:11.527 --> 00:11:13.462
  • >> valentine: i wanna present to you this wonderful new thing
  • 00:11:13.462 --> 00:11:16.132
  • That i created, and it's called a valentine,
  • 00:11:16.132 --> 00:11:20.936
  • And it will solidify your love forever.
  • 00:11:20.936 --> 00:11:24.373
  • Here you go.
  • 00:11:24.373 --> 00:11:25.407
  • >> female: thank you.
  • 00:11:25.407 --> 00:11:26.175
  • >> valentine: yeah.
  • 00:11:26.175 --> 00:11:27.009
  • >> male: oh, it's for both of us.
  • 00:11:27.009 --> 00:11:28.077
  • >> valentine: that's right.
  • 00:11:28.077 --> 00:11:28.644
  • >> male: oh.
  • 00:11:28.644 --> 00:11:29.712
  • >> valentine: the king gives it to both of you.
  • 00:11:29.712 --> 00:11:30.579
  • >> female: thank you.
  • 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:31.781
  • >> cody: sounds pretty familiar and awfully romantic, right?
  • 00:11:31.781 --> 00:11:33.749
  • Yeah, well, it was also super-illegal.
  • 00:11:33.749 --> 00:11:38.320
  • >> valentine: do you do?
  • 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:39.221
  • >> female: i do.
  • 00:11:39.221 --> 00:11:41.023
  • >> valentine: do you do?
  • 00:11:41.023 --> 00:11:42.892
  • >> male: yeah.
  • 00:11:42.892 --> 00:11:43.893
  • >> valentine: well, it has been done.
  • 00:11:43.893 --> 00:11:45.728
  • [music]
  • 00:11:45.728 --> 00:11:47.463
  • >> cody: when word got out that people were getting married
  • 00:11:47.463 --> 00:11:49.632
  • To avoid the draft,
  • 00:11:49.632 --> 00:11:52.134
  • Guess who the roman legion comes looking for?
  • 00:11:52.134 --> 00:11:54.170
  • Yep, valentine.
  • 00:11:54.170 --> 00:11:57.106
  • >> valentine: hey, quick marriages?
  • 00:11:57.106 --> 00:11:58.340
  • >> cody: now, here's where the legends get a little blurry
  • 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.041
  • On the details.
  • 00:11:59.041 --> 00:12:00.242
  • Some say that he was put under guard by a roman judge
  • 00:12:00.242 --> 00:12:02.378
  • Named asterius,
  • 00:12:02.378 --> 00:12:05.147
  • And some say that he was just thrown in jail.
  • 00:12:05.147 --> 00:12:07.950
  • Either way, valentine wasn't feelin' the love.
  • 00:12:07.950 --> 00:12:11.420
  • >> valentine: can you believe they put the king in the
  • 00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:13.823
  • Jailhouse--
  • 00:12:13.823 --> 00:12:14.990
  • [music] --of rock?
  • 00:12:14.990 --> 00:12:17.526
  • >> cody: while under guard, judge asterius decides
  • 00:12:17.526 --> 00:12:20.196
  • To pay valentine a visit.
  • 00:12:20.196 --> 00:12:23.132
  • During this visit, they strike up a conversation
  • 00:12:23.132 --> 00:12:25.935
  • About their faith.
  • 00:12:25.935 --> 00:12:27.870
  • In what seems to be a little bit of a double-dog-dare-you moment,
  • 00:12:27.870 --> 00:12:31.273
  • Judges asterius tells valentine--
  • 00:12:31.273 --> 00:12:33.576
  • >> judge asterius: if jesus is really god, prove it.
  • 00:12:33.576 --> 00:12:35.978
  • Pray for my adopted blind daughter to be healed.
  • 00:12:35.978 --> 00:12:38.681
  • Julia, come in here.
  • 00:12:38.681 --> 00:12:40.282
  • I have a man who wants to have a look at you.
  • 00:12:40.282 --> 00:12:42.785
  • [whack]
  • 00:12:42.785 --> 00:12:43.485
  • >> judge asterius: oh, ow.
  • 00:12:43.485 --> 00:12:44.053
  • Okay, you found me.
  • 00:12:44.053 --> 00:12:45.254
  • >> julia: oh, sorry.
  • 00:12:45.254 --> 00:12:45.821
  • Sorry, dad, sorry.
  • 00:12:45.821 --> 00:12:46.488
  • >> valentine: hey, julia?
  • 00:12:46.488 --> 00:12:46.856
  • Julia?
  • 00:12:46.856 --> 00:12:47.389
  • >> julia: yeah?
  • 00:12:47.389 --> 00:12:48.390
  • >> valentine: let me see your hand, girl.
  • 00:12:48.390 --> 00:12:49.124
  • Just reach on out this way.
  • 00:12:49.124 --> 00:12:50.226
  • All right, just pray with me, okay?
  • 00:12:50.226 --> 00:12:56.498
  • Lord jesus christ, please enlighten your handmaid
  • 00:12:56.498 --> 00:12:57.967
  • Because you are god, the true light.
  • 00:12:57.967 --> 00:13:01.303
  • >> cody: easy as that?
  • 00:13:01.303 --> 00:13:02.238
  • [snap]
  • 00:13:02.238 --> 00:13:03.472
  • She's miraculously healed.
  • 00:13:03.472 --> 00:13:05.674
  • >> julia: i can see.
  • 00:13:05.674 --> 00:13:06.942
  • >> valentine: oh, man.
  • 00:13:06.942 --> 00:13:07.676
  • >> julia: oh, my, god.
  • 00:13:07.676 --> 00:13:09.078
  • [music]
  • 00:13:09.078 --> 00:13:11.046
  • >> judge asterius: where'd that music come from?
  • 00:13:11.046 --> 00:13:12.815
  • >> valentine: oh, man, "love me tender."
  • 00:13:12.815 --> 00:13:14.884
  • >> cody: word of this legendary miracle started to spread,
  • 00:13:14.884 --> 00:13:17.887
  • And according to later church documents,
  • 00:13:17.887 --> 00:13:20.556
  • Asterius's entire family converted to christianity,
  • 00:13:20.556 --> 00:13:24.126
  • But when claudius caught wind of this,
  • 00:13:24.126 --> 00:13:27.630
  • He demanded that valentine be brought before him.
  • 00:13:27.630 --> 00:13:32.334
  • >> claudius ii: listen, i banned marriages,
  • 00:13:32.334 --> 00:13:34.403
  • I banned valentine's day, and now i'm banning you.
  • 00:13:34.403 --> 00:13:38.707
  • >> valentine: oh, man, you can't ban love.
  • 00:13:38.707 --> 00:13:45.381
  • Let me ask you a question:
  • 00:13:45.381 --> 00:13:46.882
  • Have you ever met a man named jesus christ?
  • 00:13:46.882 --> 00:13:48.350
  • >> claudius ii: i don't know who that is.
  • 00:13:48.350 --> 00:13:50.486
  • >> valentine: look up.
  • 00:13:50.486 --> 00:13:52.154
  • I know that you're the king of the empire,
  • 00:13:52.154 --> 00:13:55.090
  • But, brother, he is the king of all kings.
  • 00:13:55.090 --> 00:13:57.026
  • >> claudius ii: i don't like that.
  • 00:13:57.026 --> 00:13:58.027
  • I don't like that at all.
  • 00:13:58.027 --> 00:13:59.728
  • I need you to renounce him, or you die.
  • 00:13:59.728 --> 00:14:02.498
  • >> valentine: i'll never renounce the king of kings.
  • 00:14:02.498 --> 00:14:04.133
  • Go ahead.
  • 00:14:04.133 --> 00:14:06.435
  • Kill me.
  • 00:14:06.435 --> 00:14:07.369
  • But you know what?
  • 00:14:07.369 --> 00:14:08.437
  • You'll never kill the legend.
  • 00:14:08.437 --> 00:14:09.738
  • Legend is gonna live on forever, baby.
  • 00:14:09.738 --> 00:14:12.107
  • >> cody: you see, the romans largely blamed christians
  • 00:14:12.107 --> 00:14:15.344
  • For all the bad stuff:
  • 00:14:15.344 --> 00:14:16.512
  • War, drought, famine, disease, for refusing to pray
  • 00:14:16.512 --> 00:14:21.216
  • And sacrifice to the roman gods.
  • 00:14:21.216 --> 00:14:23.352
  • Because of this,
  • 00:14:23.352 --> 00:14:25.087
  • Claudius was convinced that valentine was contributing
  • 00:14:25.087 --> 00:14:29.558
  • To rome's chaos
  • 00:14:29.558 --> 00:14:31.360
  • And demanded that he renounce his faith
  • 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.430
  • And proclaim the pagan deities as the true gods.
  • 00:14:34.430 --> 00:14:39.702
  • >> cody: so not only was valentine being blamed, in part,
  • 00:14:39.702 --> 00:14:42.371
  • For rome's issues,
  • 00:14:42.371 --> 00:14:43.939
  • He was also been accused of taking able-bodied men
  • 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:46.775
  • Out of claudius's war machine,
  • 00:14:46.775 --> 00:14:49.078
  • Men claudius desperately needed to continue
  • 00:14:49.078 --> 00:14:54.116
  • On his war campaigns.
  • 00:14:54.116 --> 00:14:55.751
  • This made claudius the cruel, "claudius the angry."
  • 00:14:55.751 --> 00:15:00.022
  • Legend says the emperor demanded valentine renounce his faith.
  • 00:15:00.022 --> 00:15:03.425
  • In this moment, valentine demonstrates
  • 00:15:03.425 --> 00:15:06.729
  • Some seriously saintly cojones.
  • 00:15:06.729 --> 00:15:09.231
  • Not only does he refuse to denounce his faith
  • 00:15:09.231 --> 00:15:11.967
  • But flips it around and tries to convert claudius.
  • 00:15:11.967 --> 00:15:15.504
  • This enrages the emperor,
  • 00:15:15.504 --> 00:15:18.440
  • And with this act of courageous evangelism,
  • 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:21.076
  • Valentine officially seals his fate.
  • 00:15:21.076 --> 00:15:25.948
  • >> claudius ii: he tried to convert me,
  • 00:15:25.948 --> 00:15:27.416
  • So i took his head and converted it off of his body.
  • 00:15:27.416 --> 00:15:29.985
  • >> cody: on february 14, during the year 269 or 270,
  • 00:15:29.985 --> 00:15:35.157
  • Valentine was ordered to be severely beaten with clubs
  • 00:15:35.157 --> 00:15:37.893
  • And eventually beheaded for his faith.
  • 00:15:37.893 --> 00:15:41.630
  • But one of his final acts before dying
  • 00:15:41.630 --> 00:15:44.366
  • Started a tradition that has lasted to this very day.
  • 00:15:44.366 --> 00:15:49.905
  • >> valentine: you can kill the man, but you cannot kill love.
  • 00:15:49.905 --> 00:15:53.809
  • >> cody: according to legend,
  • 00:15:53.809 --> 00:15:55.611
  • He wrote a note to asterius's daughter,
  • 00:15:55.611 --> 00:15:57.012
  • Whom he'd healed of blindness,
  • 00:15:57.012 --> 00:15:58.280
  • Encouraging her in her faith.
  • 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:03.685
  • He ended the note by signing it, "your valentine."
  • 00:16:03.685 --> 00:16:05.921
  • [music]
  • 00:16:05.921 --> 00:16:07.823
  • >> valentine: mm, that's lovely.
  • 00:16:07.823 --> 00:16:09.958
  • >> cody: in order to get the inside scoop on valentine and
  • 00:16:09.958 --> 00:16:12.361
  • All his legends, we need to talk to monsignor abboud
  • 00:16:12.361 --> 00:16:17.032
  • At the basilica of santa maria in cosmedin,
  • 00:16:17.032 --> 00:16:19.835
  • Right here in rome, italy.
  • 00:16:19.835 --> 00:16:21.737
  • >> cody: the legend of saint valentine
  • 00:16:21.737 --> 00:16:23.739
  • Healing the young blind girl--
  • 00:16:23.739 --> 00:16:25.974
  • What do you think happened?
  • 00:16:25.974 --> 00:16:28.577
  • >> monsignor abboud: [speaking italian]
  • 00:16:28.577 --> 00:18:09.778
  • >> cody: so why were valentine's secret marriage ceremonies
  • 00:18:09.778 --> 00:18:13.515
  • So important in ancient rome?
  • 00:18:13.515 --> 00:18:17.386
  • >> monsignor abboud: [speaking italian]
  • 00:18:17.386 --> 00:18:43.445
  • >> cody: what were some of the risks involved
  • 00:18:43.445 --> 00:18:46.114
  • In performing these marriages?
  • 00:18:46.114 --> 00:18:49.851
  • >> monsignor abboud: [speaking italian]
  • 00:18:49.851 --> 00:19:59.254
  • >> cody: what do you think valentine's life represents
  • 00:19:59.254 --> 00:20:02.457
  • To us today?
  • 00:20:02.457 --> 00:20:06.728
  • >> monsignor abboud: [speaking italian]
  • 00:20:06.728 --> 00:21:03.852
  • >> cody: beautiful.
  • 00:21:03.852 --> 00:21:05.320
  • Monsignor abboud, thank you.
  • 00:21:05.320 --> 00:21:07.055
  • Appreciate it.
  • 00:21:07.055 --> 00:21:08.457
  • >> monsignor abboud: thank you.
  • 00:21:08.457 --> 00:21:09.391
  • >> cody: in front of valentine's skull.
  • 00:21:09.391 --> 00:21:11.493
  • It's amazing.
  • 00:21:11.493 --> 00:21:12.127
  • [sounds like elvis]
  • 00:21:12.127 --> 00:21:13.161
  • >> valentine: thank you very much.
  • 00:21:13.161 --> 00:21:15.197
  • >> cody: believe it or not,
  • 00:21:15.197 --> 00:21:16.365
  • It would take over two centuries after his execution
  • 00:21:16.365 --> 00:21:18.100
  • Before the first february feast day
  • 00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:19.935
  • Would become a christian holiday.
  • 00:21:19.935 --> 00:21:22.237
  • Traditionally, february 14
  • 00:21:22.237 --> 00:21:24.005
  • Already had a holiday attached to it,
  • 00:21:24.005 --> 00:21:26.141
  • A pagan holiday called lupercalia.
  • 00:21:26.141 --> 00:21:31.346
  • This celebration was pretty bizarre.
  • 00:21:31.346 --> 00:21:34.716
  • Its origins are a little hazy, but it was basically a
  • 00:21:34.716 --> 00:21:37.919
  • Celebration in honor of the she-wolf lupercal,
  • 00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:41.056
  • Who nurtured remus and romulus, the mythical founders of rome.
  • 00:21:41.056 --> 00:21:44.760
  • During this sexually charged pagan festival,
  • 00:21:44.760 --> 00:21:47.763
  • Animals would be sacrificed,
  • 00:21:47.763 --> 00:21:49.765
  • And a fertility rite would be performed.
  • 00:21:49.765 --> 00:21:53.068
  • Pagan priests ran around butt-naked,
  • 00:21:53.068 --> 00:21:55.404
  • Whipping women with strips of flesh from sacrificed goats
  • 00:21:55.404 --> 00:21:59.741
  • In order to appease a roman goddess of fertility.
  • 00:21:59.741 --> 00:22:03.512
  • The festivities would usually continue with couples pairing
  • 00:22:03.512 --> 00:22:07.149
  • Off to go and, you know,
  • 00:22:07.149 --> 00:22:08.950
  • "be fruitful and multiply."
  • 00:22:08.950 --> 00:22:11.720
  • Now, freaky fortification festivals like this were
  • 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:17.092
  • Rather common in ancient rome,
  • 00:22:17.092 --> 00:22:18.026
  • And lupercalia, as you can imagine,
  • 00:22:18.026 --> 00:22:19.494
  • Was rather frowned upon by the christian community.
  • 00:22:19.494 --> 00:22:22.564
  • So in 496 ad, pope gelasius was sick of this festival and pulls
  • 00:22:22.564 --> 00:22:28.837
  • A strategic christian cover.
  • 00:22:28.837 --> 00:22:31.807
  • He declares february 14
  • 00:22:31.807 --> 00:22:34.075
  • The first feast day to honor saint valentine's martyrdom.
  • 00:22:34.075 --> 00:22:39.047
  • >> valentine: february 14, i'm comin' right at you.
  • 00:22:39.047 --> 00:22:43.051
  • >> cody: you see, christianity throughout history has had a
  • 00:22:43.051 --> 00:22:46.221
  • Habit of christianizing pagan festivals, for example,
  • 00:22:46.221 --> 00:22:48.390
  • Christmas.
  • 00:22:48.390 --> 00:22:51.059
  • It was established on december 25 to replace a pagan festival
  • 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:54.729
  • For an old roman sun god.
  • 00:22:54.729 --> 00:22:57.666
  • Basically, if you can't outlaw a pagan festival,
  • 00:22:57.666 --> 00:23:01.069
  • Just change its meaning.
  • 00:23:01.069 --> 00:23:03.738
  • Here's another example: you know cupid-- right?
  • 00:23:03.738 --> 00:23:05.640
  • --the roman god of love that flies around,
  • 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:08.543
  • Shooting his love arrows?
  • 00:23:08.543 --> 00:23:10.545
  • Well, have you ever wondered why cherub angels are often depicted
  • 00:23:10.545 --> 00:23:15.684
  • As chubby little cloud babies that look exactly like cupid?
  • 00:23:15.684 --> 00:23:18.353
  • Yeah, the church stole that too.
  • 00:23:18.353 --> 00:23:22.457
  • Throughout history, the church's conversion strategies worked out
  • 00:23:22.457 --> 00:23:26.027
  • So well that the original pagan meanings behind certain holidays
  • 00:23:26.027 --> 00:23:29.397
  • Have become almost completely forgotten,
  • 00:23:29.397 --> 00:23:33.301
  • But if you care to dig deep enough,
  • 00:23:33.301 --> 00:23:35.470
  • You'll find that some of the
  • 00:23:35.470 --> 00:23:38.240
  • Traditions surrounding the things we celebrate even today
  • 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:40.742
  • Have at least a small tie to paganism or mysticism.
  • 00:23:40.742 --> 00:23:45.080
  • Same thing with valentine's day.
  • 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:47.382
  • >> cody: so coming back around to how valentine's day went from
  • 00:23:47.382 --> 00:23:50.952
  • Beatings and beheadings to flowers and chocolates,
  • 00:23:50.952 --> 00:23:54.890
  • Well, to be honest, it took nearly a millennium
  • 00:23:54.890 --> 00:23:56.758
  • For it to be associated with anything even remotely romantic.
  • 00:23:56.758 --> 00:24:01.730
  • >> cody: the earliest known suggestion that valentine's day
  • 00:24:01.730 --> 00:24:07.302
  • Was a day for romance came in a 14th century poem called the
  • 00:24:07.302 --> 00:24:09.571
  • "parlement of foules," written by the famous geoffrey chaucer,
  • 00:24:09.571 --> 00:24:12.641
  • The author of "the canterbury tales."
  • 00:24:12.641 --> 00:24:15.410
  • In this poem,
  • 00:24:15.410 --> 00:24:16.511
  • Chaucer says that valentine's day is the day that
  • 00:24:16.511 --> 00:24:18.146
  • "every foul cometh to choose their mate."
  • 00:24:18.146 --> 00:24:23.018
  • [music]
  • 00:24:23.018 --> 00:24:24.352
  • >> cody: this was the first suggestion of anything romantic
  • 00:24:24.352 --> 00:24:27.556
  • When it came to valentine's day,
  • 00:24:27.556 --> 00:24:28.690
  • And chaucer is the dude who put it all together,
  • 00:24:28.690 --> 00:24:31.192
  • And it only took a thousand years to get there.
  • 00:24:31.192 --> 00:24:33.895
  • Even though "parlement of foules" was written, like,
  • 00:24:33.895 --> 00:24:36.831
  • 600 years ago,
  • 00:24:36.831 --> 00:24:38.600
  • It still works as a love poem today.
  • 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:40.268
  • For example, the poem's opening line says--
  • 00:24:40.268 --> 00:24:42.871
  • >> male narrator: "so short our lives, so hard the lessons,
  • 00:24:42.871 --> 00:24:46.508
  • So difficult the tests, so sudden the final victory,
  • 00:24:46.508 --> 00:24:50.579
  • So tenuous the hope of joy that so easily evaporates into fear--
  • 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:59.621
  • This is what i mean by love."
  • 00:24:59.621 --> 00:25:01.056
  • >> cody: not bad for an ole british guy.
  • 00:25:01.056 --> 00:25:02.424
  • I might actually steal that for my own valentine's day card--
  • 00:25:02.424 --> 00:25:04.726
  • And, well, so did everybody else.
  • 00:25:04.726 --> 00:25:06.928
  • This poem was a huge hit, basically, a best seller.
  • 00:25:06.928 --> 00:25:10.599
  • >> cody: after that, chaucer's friends and the public followed
  • 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:12.634
  • His lead and began to use the feast of saint valentine for
  • 00:25:12.634 --> 00:25:16.137
  • Their own romantic purposes.
  • 00:25:16.137 --> 00:25:19.474
  • >> mr. bauster: a chrysanthemum...
  • 00:25:19.474 --> 00:25:21.643
  • And happy valentine's day.
  • 00:25:21.643 --> 00:25:23.578
  • [squeak, squeak]
  • 00:25:23.578 --> 00:25:25.780
  • >> female: you cheap bastard.
  • 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:27.983
  • [music]
  • 00:25:27.983 --> 00:25:32.087
  • >> female: good morrow.
  • 00:25:32.087 --> 00:25:33.054
  • >> mr. bauster: bye.
  • 00:25:33.054 --> 00:25:39.561
  • >> maitre d: madame!
  • 00:25:39.561 --> 00:25:40.962
  • [music]
  • 00:25:40.962 --> 00:25:42.130
  • >> male: how is everything over here, mr. bauster?
  • 00:25:42.130 --> 00:25:42.530
  • [wailing]
  • 00:25:42.530 --> 00:25:43.632
  • >> cody: poets like william shakespeare
  • 00:25:43.632 --> 00:25:46.368
  • Jumped on the bandwagon
  • 00:25:46.368 --> 00:25:47.836
  • And even used valentine's day in his own writings.
  • 00:25:47.836 --> 00:25:51.239
  • Shakespeare's love-struck ophelia spoke with herself as
  • 00:25:51.239 --> 00:25:54.643
  • Hamlet's valentine.
  • 00:25:54.643 --> 00:25:56.311
  • Using the day and phrase for love cemented the saint's
  • 00:25:56.311 --> 00:26:00.949
  • Reputation as the patron saint of romantic love.
  • 00:26:00.949 --> 00:26:05.153
  • >> valentine: well, i ain't no saint.
  • 00:26:05.153 --> 00:26:07.022
  • I mean, yes, i am.
  • 00:26:07.022 --> 00:26:07.889
  • [music]
  • 00:26:07.889 --> 00:26:09.024
  • >> cody: fast-forward through the years,
  • 00:26:09.024 --> 00:26:10.725
  • And valentine's day became a gift-giving day for everyone.
  • 00:26:10.725 --> 00:26:14.295
  • In 1660, valentine's day took on a more commercial dimension as
  • 00:26:14.295 --> 00:26:16.965
  • Fellows were expected to give valentine's gifts.
  • 00:26:16.965 --> 00:26:20.502
  • [in british accent]
  • 00:26:20.502 --> 00:26:21.670
  • These chivalrous fellows would give glamorous gifts
  • 00:26:21.670 --> 00:26:23.505
  • Like gloves and garters to their special someones.
  • 00:26:23.505 --> 00:26:27.742
  • Pretty soon, english men and women began using
  • 00:26:27.742 --> 00:26:31.646
  • February 14 as an excuse to write love notes to their
  • 00:26:31.646 --> 00:26:34.816
  • Crushes.
  • 00:26:34.816 --> 00:26:36.017
  • And, of course, industrialization made it a ton
  • 00:26:36.017 --> 00:26:39.688
  • Easier to be romantic with manufactured cards adorned with
  • 00:26:39.688 --> 00:26:41.956
  • Smarmy poetry.
  • 00:26:41.956 --> 00:26:44.092
  • In 1840, the british parliament began a mail delivery throughout
  • 00:26:44.092 --> 00:26:48.296
  • England at a flat rate of only a penny,
  • 00:26:48.296 --> 00:26:51.433
  • And mailing affectionate love letters and cards could be
  • 00:26:51.433 --> 00:26:54.836
  • Prepaid using the revolutionary device, the postage stamp.
  • 00:26:54.836 --> 00:26:59.040
  • The low-cost delivery of mail, with the adoption of envelopes
  • 00:26:59.040 --> 00:27:04.446
  • For privacy, encouraged the sending of valentine's day cards
  • 00:27:04.446 --> 00:27:07.549
  • Through the mail system.
  • 00:27:07.549 --> 00:27:09.718
  • [singsong voice]
  • 00:27:09.718 --> 00:27:10.719
  • >> male: sire...
  • 00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:11.986
  • >> claudius ii: what did i say about wedding invitations?
  • 00:27:11.986 --> 00:27:13.088
  • >> male: these aren't invitations.
  • 00:27:13.088 --> 00:27:14.622
  • These are valentines.
  • 00:27:14.622 --> 00:27:15.857
  • >> claudius ii: what is a valentine?
  • 00:27:15.857 --> 00:27:16.891
  • >> male: little acts and kindness of love.
  • 00:27:16.891 --> 00:27:19.928
  • >> claudius ii: oh, hold on.
  • 00:27:19.928 --> 00:27:21.329
  • That one has glitter.
  • 00:27:21.329 --> 00:27:22.530
  • I don't like it.
  • 00:27:22.530 --> 00:27:23.331
  • I don't like 'em.
  • 00:27:23.331 --> 00:27:24.632
  • It looks like it's gonna go on my hand and never come off.
  • 00:27:24.632 --> 00:27:26.367
  • >> cody: hah, and soon the saint's famous fourth-century
  • 00:27:26.367 --> 00:27:30.438
  • Phrase of "your valentine" was being written on cards and sent
  • 00:27:30.438 --> 00:27:34.909
  • All across europe and the united states.
  • 00:27:34.909 --> 00:27:37.979
  • Even the idea of an "x" to represent a kiss has christian
  • 00:27:37.979 --> 00:27:41.216
  • History.
  • 00:27:41.216 --> 00:27:43.084
  • In the middle ages, the use of an "x" usually represented
  • 00:27:43.084 --> 00:27:45.820
  • Either christ or the cross.
  • 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:48.356
  • So when an "x" was signed on a document,
  • 00:27:48.356 --> 00:27:51.059
  • It was essentially stating that the contents of that document
  • 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:54.529
  • Were true in the name of christ.
  • 00:27:54.529 --> 00:27:57.732
  • >> cody: after marking the paper with an "x,"
  • 00:27:57.732 --> 00:28:00.769
  • The writer would kiss the mark as a sign of their faith.
  • 00:28:00.769 --> 00:28:03.238
  • So letters were often described as having been, quote,
  • 00:28:03.238 --> 00:28:05.173
  • "sealed with a kiss."
  • 00:28:05.173 --> 00:28:08.009
  • [smack]
  • 00:28:08.009 --> 00:28:09.344
  • Today nearly 150 million v-day cards and countless x-and-o's
  • 00:28:09.344 --> 00:28:12.147
  • Are sent annually to crushes and lovers alike in america alone.
  • 00:28:12.147 --> 00:28:18.520
  • [smack]
  • 00:28:18.520 --> 00:28:21.623
  • Isn't it crazy how the legend of the saint giving away
  • 00:28:21.623 --> 00:28:24.759
  • Heart-shaped pieces of parchment to remind people of their love
  • 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:28.530
  • For one another is still a thing 1,700 years later?
  • 00:28:28.530 --> 00:28:33.268
  • >> valentine: thank you.
  • 00:28:33.268 --> 00:28:35.770
  • Thank you very much.
  • 00:28:35.770 --> 00:28:37.038
  • Saint valentine has left the building.
  • 00:28:37.038 --> 00:28:39.340
  • >> cody: and that's the story, at least according to the
  • 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:41.209
  • Legends.
  • 00:28:41.209 --> 00:28:43.978
  • While we celebrate romantic love on valentine's day,
  • 00:28:43.978 --> 00:28:46.714
  • It's important to remember the saint and his courageous
  • 00:28:46.714 --> 00:28:50.018
  • Martyrdom back in the third century.
  • 00:28:50.018 --> 00:28:52.821
  • He stood up for his beliefs in love, in marriage,
  • 00:28:52.821 --> 00:28:55.290
  • And followed them through even unto death.
  • 00:28:55.290 --> 00:28:59.694
  • During the reign of claudius ii,
  • 00:28:59.694 --> 00:29:01.062
  • Valentine's secret marriage ceremonies
  • 00:29:01.062 --> 00:29:03.264
  • Rescued countless people from war and violence,
  • 00:29:03.264 --> 00:29:06.901
  • A beautiful reminder of what the power of love can do:
  • 00:29:06.901 --> 00:29:10.271
  • Rescue troubled hearts
  • 00:29:10.271 --> 00:29:13.174
  • And genuinely make the world a better place.
  • 00:29:13.174 --> 00:29:17.412
  • While the catholic church intended to set the day aside to
  • 00:29:17.412 --> 00:29:20.982
  • Honor the sacrifice of the saint and the spreading of the gospel,
  • 00:29:20.982 --> 00:29:24.819
  • Many agree that valentine's life also represents a commitment to
  • 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:28.089
  • What love in marriage in our world could be.
  • 00:29:28.089 --> 00:29:32.126
  • So the next time february 14 rolls around,
  • 00:29:32.126 --> 00:29:34.762
  • I hope you remember that it's not just a day for romantic love
  • 00:29:34.762 --> 00:29:38.766
  • But a day to remember that sacrificial love,
  • 00:29:38.766 --> 00:29:43.204
  • Like valentine's, can change the world.
  • 00:29:43.204 --> 00:29:47.275
  • We'll see ya next time.
  • 00:29:47.275 --> 00:29:47.275