I remember reading that a bishop, Valentine, was jailed because he was marrying Christian couples in secret. The Romans had outlawed marriage. What a wonderful story! A man who followed God’s rules instead of man’s rules! What a role model for those of us who struggle with laws that are set against Christian beliefs. I had hoped to find this story and repost it here. I had hoped that this new knowledge would remind those of us who share that covenant to be grateful that we do not have such restrictions and persecutions.
Much to my dismay, I could not find such a story. In researching the origins of Valentine’s Day, I found so many differing stories that I sit here now confused by it all. One source claims that there were in fact 11 men who were all Valentines. They were celebrated throughout the year until they decided on a date in February. Another states that the fourteenth originated as a pagan holiday celebrating a fertility goddess. Several say that the holiday was fashioned after just one saint that was thrown in jail after performing miracles in the name of God during the time of Roman persecution. Wow, that does NOT make for a very romantic story!
Saint Valentine: Holy Priest of Rome: The date of this Saint Valentine's birth is not known. Along with Saint Marius and his family, Saint Valentine assisted the martyrs during the persecution they suffered under the rule of Claudius II (also known as Claudius the Goth and Claudius the Cruel). In addition, since Rome was at the time involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns, the emperor found it difficult to recruit the male populace into joining his military leagues. Believing this to be because Roman men were adverse to leaving their loved ones or their families, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements within the City of Rome. Saint Valentine and Saint Marius, however, continued to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. When is was discovered that Saint Valentine was defying the emperor's decree, he was apprehended and dispatched by Claudius to the Prefect of Rome who, being unable to force the saint to renounce Christianity, ordered that Valentine be clubbed, stoned and then beheaded. According to tradition, while Valentine waited in prison for his execution, he corresponded with those under his care by sending letters and love notes to his parishioners. It is also believed that while incarcerated, the Bishop fell in love with a young woman who visited him during his confinement. According to some sources, this was the blind daughter (whose name may have been Julia) of Asterius, the jailer. It is said that God enabled Valentine to miraculously restore the girl's sight. Popular belief indicates that Valentine's farewell message to his love contained a closing that has now transcended time: "From Your Valentine." The saint was executed on February 14 in either 269 A.D. or 270 A.D. In 270 A.D., Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near Ponte Mole in the saint's memory at a location once known as Porta Valentini and now called Porta del Popolo. The relic bones of this Saint Valentine, who may also have been a physician, are now housed within the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome.
So perhaps I left out some of the details and a few of the big things as well. But this remains my favorite story about the Saint Valentine. I hope that it allows you to view this holiday just a little differently. Will you be more willing to stand up for what you believe in? Will you be more grateful for your marriage? Will you remember what the soldiers from this country are missing everyday, especially this Sunday? 
No comments:
Post a Comment