V Day
After 35 years. I am under no obligation to celebrate valentine's day. This is liberating.
So, what is the origin of this celebratory day?
During the Roman Empire's post Christ event, during the pre Christian days of the Empire(that is - pre 333AD), in a treatise, Valentinus, who became known as Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Before his execution he is said to have wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell. Today, Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church.
Interestingly, the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). ( This is an example of what happens to traditions when they are allowed to run their own course. The Orthodox have been assembling separate legends since 1054.)
Nowadays, Valentine's Day is an over commercialized hype event, promulgated by the American media.
Stop and think what it perhaps means and what it should mean.
So, I certainly want to tip my hat and praise the memory of Valentinus, a noble Roman soul who was loving and caring in spite of life risking cultural prohibitions.
What cultural prohibitions keep you from loving others in a servanthood based way?
Let's apply his wisdom and example to what we are about in AD 2014.
So, what is the origin of this celebratory day?
During the Roman Empire's post Christ event, during the pre Christian days of the Empire(that is - pre 333AD), in a treatise, Valentinus, who became known as Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Before his execution he is said to have wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell. Today, Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church.
Interestingly, the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). ( This is an example of what happens to traditions when they are allowed to run their own course. The Orthodox have been assembling separate legends since 1054.)
Nowadays, Valentine's Day is an over commercialized hype event, promulgated by the American media.
Stop and think what it perhaps means and what it should mean.
So, I certainly want to tip my hat and praise the memory of Valentinus, a noble Roman soul who was loving and caring in spite of life risking cultural prohibitions.
What cultural prohibitions keep you from loving others in a servanthood based way?
Let's apply his wisdom and example to what we are about in AD 2014.
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