History of Valentine

February 14 Valentine the name was a popular one in the Roman world. (The name "Valentine" derived from valens means robust, worthy, strong, powerful). Valentine was a Bishop of Terni, Italy. On February 14, 270 A.D. he was beheaded by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus along the Flaminian Way in Rome. According to the official biography of the Diocese of Terni, Bishop Valentine was born and lived in Interamna. Under the rule of Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus (ruled 268-270) the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. Valentine is said to have ministered to the faithful amidst the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Valentine was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner. A relationship between Valentine and the Emperor began to grow, until Valentine attempted to convince Claudius of Christianity. Claudius became raged and sentenced Valentine to death. Imprisoned, he witnessed for Christ in prison. There are legends surrounding Valentine's actions while in prison.."One of the men who was to judge him in line with the Roman law at the time was a man called Asterius, whose daughter was blind. He was supposed to have prayed with and healed the young girl with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself became Christian as a result." When Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating with clubs, stoning, and finally decapitation the story goes that the last words he wrote were in a note to Asterius' daughter. He inspired today's romantic missives by signing it, "from your Valentine." Knowing he was going to die, he wrote letters to his friends saying “Remember your Valentine.” Valentine was offered to sacrifice to pagan gods and was commanded to renounce his faith. When he refused to renounce his faith Valentine was executed outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 270AD. His body was hastily buried at a nearby cemetery and a few nights later his disciples retrieved his body and later taken to Terni. Pope Julius I reportedly built a basilica over his grave. Thomas William Parsons ascribed hagiographical identity appears in the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493). Alongside a woodcut portrait of Valentine, the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius Gothicus. This day was sacred, once, to Pan, And Kept with song and wine; But when our better creed began ’Twas held no more divine, Until there came a holy man, One Bishop Valentine. He, finding, as all good men will, Much in the ancient way That was not altogether ill Restored the genial day; And we the pagan fashion still With pious hearts obey. On February 14, every year, shopping malls, candy stores, restaurants, and theme parks are decorated for lovers as merchandise sales and reservations. Bishop Valentine is known as the saint of engaged couples and married couples. Even after the Reformation era, the holiday was still celebrated and recognized among Protestant circles. To this day, Christians within the high and low churches of Christianity celebrate this day of romance. Regardless of how Christians celebrate and commemorate the holiday, lessons can be taken away from Valentine’s life. 1. The significance of love and holy matrimony. Particularly in high church theology, marriage is seen as a sacramental covenant between a male and female. Regardless of one’s view on the sacrament of marriage, the act of marriage itself is highly praised and encouraged among Christian adults of various ages. For Valentine, it was essential to perform marriage ceremonies for the glory of God, despite the possibility of persecution and even execution. 2. Holy matrimony gives what the world cannot. In Roman culture, marriage was not pursued for love or fruitfulness but for material gain. Women would basically become the property of their husbands and have little to no say in decisions. Within Scripture and the early church, holy matrimony goes deeper. It does not seek to control, own, or manipulate, nor should it. Just as the world then could not prevent Christians from performing marriages based on the writings of the faith, the same can be said today. The culture does not define marriage. God defines marriage through His Holy Word. 3. Marriage is about sacrifice. Many of these couples being married secretly knew the ramifications and punishments that would come out of their marriage. Valentine did as well. Sacrifice in marriage is not just about one person giving up themselves for the other in love, service, and vulnerability. It is also about them giving up certain comforts or even safety nets to be and grow with each other in a God-honoring way. Even in times of mass persecution, hope and beauty can be found in those giving themselves over in love, despite the possible outcomes. 4. It brings us back to God. God created marriage for one male and one female. Spouses who work together to live out the mystery of God’s creation. As previously stated, marriage was more of a transaction and property in Roman culture. In modern secular culture, marriage can be viewed as nothing more than a contract people sign. But in Christianity marriage is a covenant between two people reflecting Christ and the church. Valentine was a martyr — yes, a lover, but one who loved the Lord Jesus to the point of giving his life. Valentine’s Day is a good day to also remember that there is a love that surpasses all earthly loves: our love for our great God and our Savior, his dear divine Son, Jesus. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/saint-valentine-what-can-we-learn-from-him.html https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/2/14 https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-martyred-lover