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Overview
14th February (Valentine’s day) is one of the most celebrated days of the year, and over the years this day has come to mean so much to a whole lot of people, ranging from couples, (married and unmarried) groups, organizations, and even single individuals.
Valentine means different things to different people depending on the orientation they’ve had concerning the day. For some, Valentine’s day is the day they visit orphanage homes, and for some, it’s a day they strategical show their lovers, (be it husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, or fiance/fiancee) how much they love them by buying gifts, having dates and on the other hand so many people have made valentine’s day the day they got married or got engaged. All these happen because of the spirit which the day carries, LOVE.
In as much as VALENTINE is celebrated positively by many, tragedies are also recorded on the day; tragedies caused by people who don’t understand the meaning of the day and the spirit the day carries.
ABOUT VALENTINE
Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an annual day celebrated on February 14. It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day that honors one of the early saints named Valentinus and is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.
The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards known as ‘Valentines’.
In Europe, Saint Valentine’s Keys were given to lovers as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart, as well as to children, to ward off epilepsy called ‘Saint Valentine’s Malady’.
Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.
ORIGIN OF VALENTINE
The origin of this significant day for the expression of love isn’t romantic at all, at least not in the traditional sense.
Now, about the man behind the story ‘Saint Valentine’
He was a Roman Catholic Priest at a time when there was an Emperor called Claudias who persecuted the church of Christ.
Now, this Emperor had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be careful about what happened to them on account of their wives and families if they died.
Valentine however went ahead encouraging young soldiers to get married in the church and not live with women whom they were not joined in holy matrimony and he secretly married them because of the edict.
The Priest was eventually caught, imprisoned, and tortured for performing marriage rites against the command of Emperor Claudius II.
While in prison, something profound happened which has served as a trade mark even in recent times. One of the men named Asterius who was to judge Valentine in line with the Roman law at the time had a daughter who was blind, and Valentine was said to have healed the lady with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself became a Christian as a result.
The trademark however is found in the last words Valentine wrote in a note to Asterius’ daughter after his sentence in the year 269 AD ”From Your Valentine”.This phrase has inspired profoundly today’s romantic translations.
Read about “The true power of our words“
PERSONAL NOTE
Valentine Day is a day LOVE is celebrated exceptionally, although love should be celebrated everyday by everyone and in every place.
Amidst the fun, gifts, and cards, Valentines’ day is a day to call ourselves to reckon as regards our stance on the thing or things we strongly believe in. Something that will create positive energy in the earth even after we exit this world.
Like ST. Valentine, let’s chant courses that will positively affect lives and let’s never waver even in the faces of adversities and persecutions.
