Valentine's Day origin pagan

Valentine's Day has its origins in ancient Roman pagan festivals. One of these festivals, Lupercalia, was celebrated in mid-February and included rituals of sacrifice, fertility, and matchmaking. The Christian church later co-opted the holiday and named it after Saint Valentine, a martyr who was executed on February 14th. The holiday as we know it today, with its focus on romantic love and gift-giving, developed in the Middle Ages and has evolved over time.