Author: S. Gordon-Jeffery  |
| Photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com |
It's Valentine's Day! The day for lovers! A time to confess undying love to your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse, or to reveal a secret crush for the one you love by giving roses, chocolates, candy or other luxurious gifts!
Today I thought I would add my two cents to the celebration of Valentine's day by presenting the true story of Valentine's Day, and the man who inspired it all in the first place.
To do this I ask that you take a journey with me back into the past, way back to when emperors ruled with impunity and only faith, hope and love could stand against them.
Marcus Aurelius Claudius, known also as Claudius Gothicus, Claudius the Cruel and Claudius II, became emperor of Rome in 268 AD and ruled with an iron fist to 270 AD. During his rule of Rome, he led several successful military campaigns across Europe expanding the reach and influence of the empire. He was known for his cruelty in battle and was famous for his decisive victory against a nation called the Goths. He was called Claudius Gothicus (conqueror of the Goths) for this reason. Before his ascension to the throne, the mighty empire suffered infighting and eventually was split into three (3) kingdoms: The Roman empire, the Gallic and Palmyrene. In its weakened state the empire faced conflict from within, and war from outside from other nations who sought to invade and overthrow its power.
At that time Valentine was the Bishop of Terni, a devout Christian, who sought opportunities to convert Roman citizens to Christianity. He would often help Christians who faced persecution from the empire.
Emperor Claudius was constantly battling with his enemies. Because of this he suffered major casualty to his army numbers. The loss of soldiers' lives was very severe, he was constantly recruiting men into his legion. During that time the number of Christian converts in the empire grew steadily. Christianity however had not yet become the dominant religion in Rome, they were still small in number, were on the fringes of the society and had very little political influence. It wasn't until the rule of emperor Constantine that Christianity gained enough influence and preeminence to transform western society.
Emperor Claudius needed more young fighters for his army, but realised that there was reluctance among them to join. He came to the conclusion that Roman men, especially the Christians, were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. He therefore made a decree banning all weddings and engagements across Rome and to conscript all young, able-bodied men into his armies, including Christian men.
Saint Valentine was strongly against this ruling and secretly continued to perform weddings for young lovers, as this was the only way the young men could legally avoid being forced into the emperor's armies. It is said that Valentine would cut heart shapes out of parchment and give them to these persecuted Christians to remind them of their vows to their wives, and of God's love. It is believed that this was the origin of the use of hearts on Valentine's day.
When Claudius discovered Saint Valentine's defiant action, he ordered that he be arrested. He faced trial before the Prefect of Rome who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and his head chopped off on the 14th of February 270 AD.
While in prison, he befriended the prison's warden. It is said that he laid hands on the warden's daughter, and prayed to God who healed her from blindness, thereafter they became friends. On the day he was to be executed it is said that Valentine left a farewell letter to the warden's daughter and signed it "From your Valentine". He was buried on the hill of Terni near Rome.
On February 14, 496 AD, the Roman Catholic Church commemorated Valentine's sacrifice by celebrating the day and naming him patron saint of Terni, beekeeping and epilepsy. The Eastern Orthodox Church however observes his memory on July 6. He was to be called Saint Valentine of Rome.
During that time the Catholic Church was seeking a way to get rid of the pagan Feast of Lupercalia, a festival of love which was celebrated on February 15. At the Feast of Lupercalia, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which a young man would randomly draw the name of a woman to spend the night with. Pope Gelasius decided to put an end to this Feast, and as an alternative declared that February 14 be celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day. Even then, there was still no attachment of Valentine's day to love and romance.
It wasn't until the Middle Ages that the day was seen as a day for lovers. In 1375, the medieval English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer penned a poem called the "Parliament of Foules" in which he links love with Valentine's Day by writing "For this was sent on Seynt Valentine's day / When every foul (fowl) cometh ther to choose his mate." The statement refers to February 14 as a special day birds and by inference humans also, come together to find a mate. By this statement he makes Valentine's day synonymous with courtship and love. Gradually, February 14 - Valentine's day became internationally known as a date for exchanging love messages, poems and gifts such as flowers.
Even though Valentine's day was not initially celebrated as a day for lovers, it was truly about love -- love for people. Valentine's love for others inspired his defiance in the face of sure death. In upholding the sacred union between husbands and wives, Valentine showed that there is no greater calling than to love, and to fight for love.
Updated 14 February 2022.
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References:
Hanes, Elizabeth. 6 Surprising facts about St. Valentine. Who was St Valentine. History.com. https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine
History.com. St Valentine beheaded. This day in history. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded
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