Happy Valentine’s Day! You may spend time today giving cards and flowers to your sweetheart, but how much do you know about Saint Valentine himself? And do you know about his connection to epilepsy?
There is varying information about Saint Valentine. It is not entirely known when he lived, or even if he was actually two different people for which we have combined stories. But, there is some historical evidence of his existence. According to research, he is thought to have lived sometime in the 3rd century. There are claims that he was either a priest in Rome or a Bishop in Terni, Italy. He was said to help those dealing with religious persecution and to secretly marry couples, possibly so that husbands did not have to go to war.
Multiple stories state that he gave a blind girl the ability to see, and that he was jailed and martyred for converting people to Christianity. Later stories have accounts of many other Christian figures referred to as Valentine, but the earliest stories have the most consistency. The celebration of St. Valentine in association with romance can be traced back to the 1400’s in a poem that described birds discovering their mates on St. Valentine’s Day.
St. Valentine is the patron saint of happy marriages, those who are engaged, beekeeping, and epilepsy. During the time of Saint Valentines existence, medical knowledge was nowhere near where it is today. People assumed that seizures, often causing shaking and/or loss of consciousness, were the result of demons and possession. Many turned to the Church for assistance. Stories of St. Valentine claim that he could cure epilepsy through religious means, and there are many pieces of art that depict him helping both children and adults.
However, it is incredibly important to note that epilepsy is NOT the result of a supernatural occurrence. It is a neurological disorder caused by irregular electrical impulses. It is also necessary to acknowledge how perceptions of epilepsy have changed over time.
Although the holiday and the man behind it have a long and somewhat unclear history, it is certain that Valentine’s Day is a popular time to celebrate love. But now you know that it is also a good day to learn a bit more about the history of epilepsy!
