All you need is love?

It is that time of year again when love is in the air. The 14th of February or by its more common name St Valentine’s day, is celebrated in many countries all over the world as a day to declare your undying love for someone. Restaurants are fully booked and supermarkets are full of red roses and cuddly toys for lovers to exchange, but has anyone stopped to think why?

Who was St Valetine and what did he do to leave such a lasting legacy?

St Valentine was born in Interamna in Italy. He grew up and became responsible for helping couples marry, which was illegal at the time. He was eventually caught and executed for this terrible crime. Due to his popularity, the remains of his body have since been taken to various parts of the world. His skull encased in glass is in Rome, other fragments of his skull are believed to be in Chelmno, Poland, part of his shoulder is in a church in Prague and other parts of his body are thought to be in Dublin, Roquemar, France, Missouri and one more mystery place that I will reveal later……

The day was first associated with romance by author Geoffrey Chaucer. During the Middle-Ages the day of St Valentines death also coincided with the mid-February period when people though birds paired into couples, and the romance hasn’t stopped since.

That’s all for now, but one thing remains. The mystery place has still to be revealed. Where could this romantic haven be? Where is the new love capital of the world? Well……. it is right here in Glasgow in the Gorbals area of the city, in the Blessed John Duns Scotus R C Church. It is official GLASGOW is the most romantic city in the world!

Happy Valentines!