Random findings about Saint Valentine.
St Valentine was, apparently, a Roman monk, who was martyred for refusing to betray his Christian faith. One of his beliefs was in the sacrament of marriage, and he loved to celebrate marriages. Emperor Claudius decreed that there would be no more marriages, but young people continued to come to Valentine to be married.
The emperor Claudius then had him thrown into jail, where he was allowed visits from friends, and from the jailer's daughter. On the day of his death , February 14th, it is said that he left the girl a note to say good bye and signed it 'From your Valentine'.
So continued the tradition of sending a card to a loved one on this date, and Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. In 496 AD the then Pope set the day aside officially to honour St Valentine.
Thak you for your comments on my post titled What is love. They were many and different, and several were read out at our Service of Prayer and Praise this morning.
One of the lovely songs we sang was 'Jesus be the Centre'.
Jesus be the centre
Be my source, be my light Jesus
Jesus be the centre
Be my song Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in my sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus Jesus
Jesus be my vision
Be my help
Be my guide Jesus
© 1999 Vineyard Songs
Did you know why he banned marriages though the old emperor? He wanted soldiers and reckoned that married men were less likley to go off and fight than single ones.. hmm.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I loved discovering more about St. Valentine! Happy Valentine's Day to YOU, sweet Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteGreat little history lesson - I'd heard bits and pieces but never quite like this - thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you, Elizabeth, and many thanks to you and to that other historian Her at Home, for truly lighting up the history of this wonderful day that focuses on love.
ReplyDeleteAmor omnia vincit. Think that was what my Latin teachers got into my head decades ago.
xo
That was very interesting! You learn so much in blogland!!
ReplyDeleteWe too sang "Jesus be the centre" on Sunday - it is a great song, and I love it too. Especially the bit about "fire in my heart, wind in my sails, reason I live" - such a succinct summing up of things.
ReplyDeleteGlad the service went so well