History of Valentine's Day

History of Valentine's Day

            
 

Ever Wonder Who St. Valentine Was? Or why so many people get all mushy around the second week of February? Here's a brief synopsis:

St. Valentine was actually two people (that weren't romantically involved) who were martyred on the same day (c. 270). Feasts commemorating them were celebrated on February 14. One was a priest and physician who died in Rome during the persecution of Christians by Claudius II Grothicus. The other was the bishop at Terni, Italy who was also martyred in Rome. Both have been buried at different places along the Flaminian Way.

So why do people send "valentines" or "love-tokens" to one another on that day? The origin of that tradition is not thought to have any connection with the saint's day. Rather it comes from an early European belief that the second week of February was when birds began to mate. The idea suggests that lovers should probably exchange notes and gifts on February 14 in conjunction with what nature practiced.

Nowadays, Valentine's Day is observed as a special day for love and romance. This topic is one of the oldest, and probably most-discussed, issues in history! As Christians, we know that love originates from God and that God is love (1 John 4:16).

In 269 A.D., the Roman Empire honored Juno, the goddess of women and marriage,on February 14th. The next day the festival of Lupercalia began. At this festival all the girls' names would be written on paper and placed into jars. Each guy would draw a girl's name. Then, they would be a couple for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pair lasted an entire year, in which they were likely to fall in love and be married.

During this time Claudius II was the emperor of Rome. He liked war, but had a hard time building an army. Claudius thought it was because men didn't want to leave their wives and families. So, he banned all marriages. But Saint Valentine, a Roman Catholic priest, continued to perform marriages in secret. His good deeds came to an end when he was caught and sentenced to die. While in jail, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter. And on February 14, 270 A.D., the day of his death, he sent her a note signed, "From, your Valentine." (In 469 A.D., February 14th was set aside to honor St. Valentine.)

Valentine's Day isn't just about flowers, chocolates and sappy cards. It isn't about red hearts and white teddy bears. And it's definitely not about Cupid. Valentine's Day is about love. A love that cannot be commercialized. That cannot be bought. A love that seems elusive, yet most of us continue to search for it. We want to experience love because it is a powerful, pure emotion. And we're told in the Bible that "Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8).

The cross of Calvary is proof that the love of God will never fail. The splintered wood. The nails. The crown of thorns. The painful death of Jesus. Evidence of the greatest sacrifice, so we would know the meaning of love.

This Valentine's Day, show love. Give a card to your enemy. Be nice to the guy who cuts in the lunch line. Smile at the girl who never smiles. And most importantly, love the way Christ loves us.

 

                  

 

From - Bhoomi Patel

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