So I heard what sounded like a rather fictional story on the radio about the background of Valentine’s Day so I decided to do a little research on the subject and add my thoughts to it:
As it turns out, a good portion of the legend is true but the origins of the holiday are not that wonderful. Fact is, there was a pagan holiday that took place on the same calendar day each year and the Catholic Church decided to invent a new holiday to make the day a bit less “worldly”. Of course, that wasn’t exactly what happened though.
The “Saint Valentine” is actually named Valentinus (and there are historically three different people that this person could be -no one can be sure).
“Claudius II Gothicus is also known to history for his execution of a little-known Christian monk named Valentinus, who secretly married Claudius’ soldiers in defiance of an order from him that professional soldiers were not to marry. This execution is said to have taken place on February 14, 269, and when Valentinius was later sainted, February 14 became his feast day.”
(taken from Wikipedia.com)
Not that I’m not impressed with the origins of the holiday, I’m more amazed at just how far we’ve come in our western society -and even more so here in the US. There will never be such an evil influence on our country as was with Emperor Claudius II. The most we’ll ever have to endure any tyrannical governmental leader is 8 years -assuming their re-elected. More so, there’s an entire network of politicians that share the power so that no ONE person runs the country -nor do I believe that politicians are capable of working in some sort of coordinated movement…
I guess it just makes me grateful to be alive…today…in America. For all her faults and flaws, I’d still take this place over any other country -or time period!
..Just a little perspective for today..