The Man Behind Valentine's Day

The corporate candy and confectionary companies have disconnected us to the true meaning of our holidays. Today, sweeties around America spend boat loads of cash on Hallmark cards and fancy dinners without ever questioning where Valentine's Day actually comes from. 

If you've followed me for sometime, you know I see repetitive numbers. For years, the number 214 has been a part of my daily existence. Many moons ago, a spiritual person told me that part of my mission in life is to understand various forms of love, and that I would help people in this life in love. I remember crying in my counselor's office during the dark times of my divorce telling her, "I feel like God put me through this to understand the pain and anguish of the heart and that I needed to experience divorce to understand the power of love."

So today, on 2/14, I encourage everyone to "root" to the real reasons on why Valentine's Day exists. 

Prayer to St. Valentine:

Dear Saint and glorious Martyr, who are so popular with lovers, be kind to those whom we love and to us. Teach us to love unselfishly and to find great joy in giving. Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other. Let them love each other in God and God in each other. Amen.

Valentine's Day was never all about love. Saint Valentine was a 3rd Century Roman Saint, who died on February 14, 269 AD.  In the early days of Christianity, Valentine was a Roman Priest who lived during the time of when Rome was under rulership from Emperor Claudius II (aka Claudius the Cruel). 

​Rome was not popular during this time and encounter many bloody campaigns. The emperor had a strong army, but found it difficult to recruit to men. He claimed that men had too strong of an attachment to their wives and children, and had no interest in fighting in war. As a result, Claudius banned marriages and engagements in Rome.  In matters of the heart polygamy was popular during this time in the Roman Empire, which conflicted the Christian teachings of marriage between one man and one woman. 

Valentine saw this as cruel and unjust, and performed marriage ceremonies in secrecy. Some also claim that he converted people into Christianity, which led to his arrest in Rome. This coupled with the secret marriages led to his arrest and eventually his death. 

Valentine was taken to the Prefect of Rome and sentenced to a beating to death with clubs, stoning and a beheading.During his time in jail, he refused to announce his devotion to Christ.  

According to the smithosonianmag.com article, The Gory Origins of Valentine’s Day, states,  "According to a late medieval legend reprinted in the “Acta,” which was accompanied by Bollandist critique about its historical value, a Roman priest named Valentinus was arrested during the reign of Emperor Gothicus and put into the custody of an aristocrat named Asterius.

​As the story goes, Asterius made the mistake of letting the preacher talk. Father Valentinus went on and on about Christ leading pagans out of the shadow of darkness and into the light of truth and salvation. Asterius made a bargain with Valentinus: If the Christian could cure Asterius’s foster-daughter of blindness, he would convert. Valentinus put his hands over the girl’s eyes and chanted:

“Lord Jesus Christ, en-lighten your handmaid, because you are God, the True Light.”

Easy as that. The child could see, according to the medieval legend. Asterius and his whole family were baptized. Unfortunately, when Emperor Gothicus heard the news, he ordered them all to be executed. But Valentinus was the only one to be beheaded."

On February 14, (supposedly) 269AD, Valentine was taken to his death. On his death date, he gave a love letter to the jailer's daughter and signed it, "From Your Valentine."

​Now there are theories out of there on the reasonings of this date. Some claim that this is the day of when birds choose their love mate (on February 14), which is why there are often times birds in the artwork of Saint Valentine's. Some claim those are love birds. The halo above the head symbolizes higher consciousness. The palm branch and red clock symbolizes martyrdom. The small book or cross represents the faith he preached.

And that is how the Hallmark holiday Valentine's Day got it's name. Behind this holiday full of chocolates, flowers and candy kisses, was a brave soul who not only believed in God and Christ, but believed in the power of love and marriage in the Christian church. He was ready to heal people, wed couples in love and give his life for his faith. That is one powerful message to never give up on love or your faith. 

Quit a man if you ask me. 

The Prayer of St. Valentine
Dear Lord, who art high in the Heavens,
Giver of Love and Passion,

And He who strings the heart’s cords,

Lead the Lovers this day, February ten plus four. The day during the month of two,

When the date is the perfect number of God
Greater two souls and two hearts. Some Loves are fleeting ,
But that which is built on you will never fail.

So guide the Lovers to know what is to be. Your truths the Lovers’ mouths should speak,
For Your truth is that which is honest to the heart.

Only this, then, should pass over the red lips of the Lovers. Your art, the Lovers simply a medium.

It is only with True Hearts that You can create a Masterpiece,
So let the Lovers remember that their Soul’s Desire
Is the one for which You light their Fire. And let it be You who creates the Art of the Lovers;

The art of two into one. Amen.

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