February 14, 2007 9:29 AM
Valentine's Day
As usual, Dean Abbott is Inspired by a True Story - Remembering Valentine
Thanks, Dean!
Here is more (inspired by Dean's research):
Valentinus, a priest in Rome and a physician, was beheaded there under Claudius the Goth on February 14 and buried on the Flaminian Way, where a basilica was erected in 350. On the same day in the Roman Martyrology is celebrated another Valentine who was bishop of Interamna (Terni) about sixty miles from Rome and who was scourged, imprisoned, and then beheaded there by order of Placidus, prefect of Interamna. Tradition has it that the two are the same, ------that the bishop of Interamna had been a Roman priest who became bishop and was sentenced there and brought to Rome for his execution. The custom of sending Valentines on February 14 stems from a medieval belief that birds began to pair on that day.Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship 12 gods. To be a Christian was a crime punishable by death, but the threat of death did not frighten Valentinus who was imprisoned. During his last weeks the jailer asked him if he would teach his daughter Julia: she hadbeen blind since birth. Valentinus agreed and described to her the beauty of God's creation, and taught her how to pray. Julia believed what the Saint taught her and asked God to cure her blindness. As Valentinus and Julia prayed for this, a bright light shown in the jail and she was healed.
On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia telling her to always stay close to God. He was Martyred the next day, February 14, 270 A.D. It is thought that she planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.
From Catholic Tradition. The painting shows Valentine on the left healing an epileptic, and on the right rebuking worshippers of false gods.
A far cry from Sponge Bob Squarepants and Tootsie Roll valentines. And how in the world did we "evolve" from distributing small cards in the class to kids distributing candy? Everything in this culture seems so driven by upping the material ante year after year. I'm waiting for the Valentine's light displays. You know - first we had just Christmas, but now suburbanites make a big deal out of Halloween - and they're starting to get into Easter (well, to be politically correct - Spring).
Uh-oh. I'm starting to sound like an old lady.....
Posted in Holidays | Permalink
Comments
Over the last year or so, I have really been discovering the Anglican church calendar and my awareness of these kinds of things has risen tremendously. Did you know Nov. 21 is C.S. Lewis day?
Posted by: Dean | February 14, 2007 9:59 AM
No - but remind me in November!
Posted by: barbara | February 14, 2007 10:05 AM
I really hate that my first graders are encouraged more and more towards the romantic side of Valentine's day.
It's not just mainstream holidays anymore, either. I just posted a letter on my blog I'm planning to send to the school, because they are celebrating Mardi Gras!
Mama Says
Posted by: Milehimama | February 14, 2007 11:22 AM
