Valentine's Day century. Popular modern sources claim links to unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St. Valentine's Day, but prior to Chaucer in the 14th century, there were no links between the saints named Valentinus and romantic love. In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13–15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier" or "the chaste Juno", was celebrated on February 13–14. Pope Gelasius I (492–496) abolished Lupercalia. Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I
St Mary of Furness Roman Catholic Church St Mary of Furness Roman Catholic Church St Mary of Furness is a Roman Catholic church located on Duke Street in Barrow-in-Furness, England. The congregation was founded in 1858, however the current building was constructed between 1866 and 1867. It was built with £6,000 donated by Spencer Cavendish the 8th Duke of Devonshire. Designed by English architect E. W. Pugin, the spacious church originally seated 800, but has now been expanded to accommodate around 1,000 worshippers. In 1976 St. Mary of Furness and the church presbytery were granted Grade II listed status by Historic England. The church's organ contains approximately