Little is known about a certain third-century Roman saint except his name — Valentine. And the romantic holiday celebrated Friday originally commemorated the anniversary of the Christian martyr’s execution.

That’s not what most people think of when they hear today is “Valentine’s Day.” And many will too busy with last-minute purchases of roses, red and pink greeting cards and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates to ponder the fate of the day’s namesake.

“Valentine” was such a popular name that nearly a dozen Eastern and Western saints have borne the name. It is derived from “valens,” which translates to powerful and worthy.

Seven of those saints died on days other than Feb. 14, though the day’s Feast of St. Valentine is associated with at least two other saints with the same name as the bishop who died near the Milvian Bridge in Rome.

His feast day was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I. But even the pope listed Valentine among those “whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God.”

In later chronicles, the saint was described as a former bishop of Terni, in what is now central Italy, who had been placed under house arrest by Judge Asterius.

While confined, the judge and Valentine discussed faith in Jesus, and Asterius put Valentine to the test, bringing his adopted blind daughter to the priest.

If her sight could be restored, the judge promised Valentine anything he pleased.

Valentine placed his hands on her eyes, and the girl could see.

For his payment, Valentine asked that the area’s idols be destroyed and told the judge to fast three days and be baptized.

The judge complied, then released other Christians imprisoned under his authority.

But Valentine was arrested again for continuing his ministry. He was sent to the Roman emperor, Claudius Gothicus, who liked the priest but resisted conversion and condemned Valentine to execution Feb. 14, 269.

Some accounts claim that before his death, Valentine wrote a farewell letter to Asterius’s daughter, which he signed, “Your Valentine.”

A thousand years after Pope Gelasius established the Feast of Valentine, the Nuremburg Chronicle said Valentine was imprisoned for performing marriage ceremonies for Christian couples.

The Middle Ages author Geoffrey Chaucer promoted the link between the martyred saint and romantic affection in a poem he wrote for the engagement anniversary of England’s King Richard II and Anne of Bohemia.

His verses describe how on Valentine’s Day, birds seek out mates.

The oldest surviving Valentine note was written in the 1400s, a profession of love from Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife. In 1477, English-language writer Margery Brewes composed a letter to her future husband, John Paston, calling him “my right well-beloved Valentine.”

The romantic tradition continued in England through the 1700s, when sweethearts began sharing flowers, treats and cards called “Valentines.” To aid young men unable to write their own poems, one publisher released a volume of sentimental verses they could copy. These led to the printing of greeting cards, some romantic and others with surprisingly racy verses for the era.

The romantic day has grown to a worldwide celebration, where local traditions are blended with the tradition of candy, flowers and cards.