Valentine’s Day is observed each year on February 14. There is great variety in the way Christians observe the day. Some disregard the day completely because of questionable roots in paganism and Roman Catholicism. Others observe Valentine’s Day fully, exchanging hearts, flowers, and cards with their loved ones. Some make it a special night to take their wives out to enjoy a romantic dinner together.
Whether we regard the day or not, remember the Apostle Paul’s admonition: “He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord” (Romans 14:6).
What are the origins of Valentine’s Day? How did it become associated with the month of February? According to early Church history, there was a priest named Valentinus of Rome who was martyred on February 14, 269. Subsequently, February 14 became his feast day.
Valentinus was a very common name in the days of the Roman Empire. The root of that name comes from valens, meaning “strong, powerful.” Another word with the same root is valor. The name was so common that there were actually several men named “Valentine.” Their stories and legends were intermingled to form the tradition behind Saint Valentine the person or Valentine’s Day that remains to this day.
The primary “Saint Valentine,” Valentinus of Rome, ministered in that city during a time of persecution. He was arrested by a judge named Asterius, who had a blind daughter. The judge mocked the faith of Valentinus, promising that if the name of Jesus could restore sight to his daughter, he would do whatever the priest asked. Placing his hands upon the girl, Valentinus prayed that her sight be restored—and it was!
The astonished judge asked Valentinus what to do. The priest called upon him to repent of his idolatry. All the idols in the house of Asterius were destroyed, and the judge and his family were baptized as followers of Christ. Valentinus was set free to preach and evangelize. It is said that he urged Roman soldiers to forsake immorality and to embrace the covenant bonds of Christian marriage, and Saint Valentine performed many of these weddings in secret. According to legend, he cut hearts out of parchment and gave them to Christian couples as reminders to love one another faithfully and sincerely to the end of life.
Supposedly, Valentinus maintained a close friendship with Asterius the judge and wrote often to the man and his family. One of his last letters was addressed to the girl whose sight was miraculously restored. The story maintains that Valentinus signed the letter, “Your Valentine.”
Valentinus was arrested again and stood before Emperor Claudius Gothicus. He was condemned to be beaten with clubs and then beheaded. Valentinus of Rome was martyred on February 14, 269.
Another “Saint Valentine” was Valentinus of Terni, a village in central Italy. He was a contemporary of Valentinus of Rome and was also martyred four years later, in 273. A third “Saint Valentine” was from North Africa; however, very little is recorded of his life and legacy.
The Saint Valentine stories were intermingled with pagan elements, such as the winged Cupid, son of Mars, the god of war, and Venus, the goddess of love. As was its practice with so many other traditions, Roman Catholicism syncretized elements of paganism and Christianity.
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, remember that according to I Corinthians 13:8, “Charity never faileth.” Accordingly, we should demonstrate our love for our spouses not only on one romantic day on the calendar but on every day of the year! Christ loves His Bride consistently and faithfully every day; we ought to do the same.
