History of Valentines Day – The Man Valentine
Why is the history of Valentines Day expressed in the current celebration
of yummy chocolates, lovely cards, and sparkling engagement rings? What is the
story behind such a highly-retailed celebration?
Some say the day is named after a bishop named Valentine, who was
stationed in the Roman Empire when Claudius II was the Emperor. Claudius thought that unmarried men made better soldiers, so he decided to make it a law
that young men could not marry. Around 270 A.D., Valentine took pity on the
ostracized soldiers who were not permitted to marry or see their sweethearts.
He became an advocate of these young lovers and began to perform
secret marriages. He was soon found out and jailed. Emperor Claudius II
attempted to convert Valentine to begin worshipping the Roman gods, but
Valentine refused. Instead, he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity and
Valentine sentenced to be executed on February 24, 270.
Another version of the history of Valentines Day tells that Valentine
fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. Just before his death, he sent her a
note and signed it “from your Valentine.” An aura of romance surrounded his
demise and those who knew about it spread the tale. Bishop Valentine became Saint
Valentine with his fame extending to England and France. After his death, Valentine then became what is known as a “Patron Saint.” Some considered him the spiritual overseer of an annual festival in which young Romans would distribute cards of affection to those they wished to formally see. This festival was held each February 14. There are Valentine cards in museums worldwide that date back to 1415.
February
has been the month to celebrate love ever since the Middle Ages.
History of Valentines Day – Finding True Love
The history of Valentine’s Day began in the era of courtly traditions.
The stories of how women were wooed by grand gestures of gallantry flourish in
romance novels of today. We all wish to be desired - to be loved and accepted.
God has met this need through the most loving act ever done in the
history of the world. God loved us so much that He sent His son to earth to live as
a man. We are separated from God due to our sin, so God provided a way for us
to spend eternity with Him in heaven. In a great act of love, Jesus died on the
cross as a perfect substitute for each of us. He died, was buried, and rose
again. When we acknowledge His gift and accept it, He comes to guide our lives
and love us as we’ve never been loved before.
See
more at: http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/history-of-valentines-day.htm#sthash.8K7y2IJF.dpuf
