The church calendar and secular society acknowledge February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day. Much of its historical origins are patchy. There are a few saints named Saint Valentine who lived in the Roman Empire during the third century A.D. and became martyrs. One Saint Valentine was imprisoned and martyred by Emperor Claudius II for rebelling against a ban on marriage for soldiers by privately officiating their weddings. The second Saint Valentine, Saint Valentine of Terni, was likewise imprisoned and martyred by Claudius II. Scholars recognize him as the source for Valentine’s Day. There is a legend that he befriended his jailer’s daughter who would visit him during his imprisonment. Before his execution, he wrote a letter to her and ended it with the phrase “From your Valentine.”
Pope Gelasius I designated February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day in 496 A.D. It became associated with romance by the Middle Ages. The earliest written reference to its romantic connotations was from Geoffrey Chaucer in his poem Parliament of Fowls where he writes, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day/Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”
The religious and cultural aspects of Saint Valentine’s Day are rooted in references to love. The Bible depicts various aspects of love such as romantic love, brotherly love, and self-sacrificial love. Self-sacrificial love is the greatest form of love because that was what motivated Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father (John 15:13; 2 Cor. 5:18). Whether we have significant others or not, may we remember Christ’s self-giving love and embody that love toward others in our daily lives.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Almighty God, you gave your servant Valentine of Terni boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Like the content you see on Reading For The Glory? Consider subscribing to our newsletter to receive updates on new articles, reviews, and podcast episodes. To learn more about the good news of Jesus Christ, please click here.
We also invite you to consider supporting the ongoing ministry of RFTG.
Discover more from Reading For The Glory
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
