Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and lovers are rushing to find something to offer their beloved. However, this celebration bearing the name of a Saint causes doubt among many Christians.
Is it a religious holiday or a pagan celebration? This festivity was originally solely religious, celebrated with masses and processions.
An Initially Religious Festival
The name and date of Valentine’s Day raise many questions. Valentine was, in fact, an advocate of love whose story dates back to the year 200. Emperor Claudius II Gothicus had banned many marriages because married men refused to join the military legions so as not to leave their families. Father Valentine then secretly married many Christians. In 270, he was condemned to death by the emperor.
Two centuries after Valentine’s condemnation, the Christian Church canonized him and then made him the protector of couples by Pope Gelasius I. According to many versions, the date is linked to his martyrdom. In 1496, by order of Pope Alexander VI, Saint Valentine officially became the Patron Saint of lovers.
There are also two other Valentines celebrated on February 14th. There’s Bishop Valentine, a martyr who died in 268 in Central Italy, Rome. A legend tells that he was called upon by an Athenian orator and philosopher to heal his son. The bishop miraculously healed the hunchbacked son through prayer, leading an entire family to convert to Christianity. Among those who converted later was the son of the prefect of Rome. Outraged, the latter arrested the bishop and ordered his beheading.
The third Valentine was a Roman priest who defied an emperor’s authority by asserting that only Christ is the savior of the world. He was imprisoned and met the prison guard’s daughter, who had been blind since the age of 2. Through prayer, Valentine healed the young girl, which led her father to convert to Christianity. Upon hearing about this healing, the emperor ordered the priest’s beheading.
Churches Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Celebrating Valentine’s Day does not always mean having a romantic moment. Since February 14th, 2021 falls on a Sunday, why not attend a mass with your partner? Many dioceses celebrate Valentine’s Day on the weekend following the lovers’ festival.
Nice stands out from other cities during Valentine’s Day. In the evening of the day to celebrate the Patron Saint of love, Father Gil Florini leads a free concert dedicated to lovers with love songs, religious poems, and blessings of roses. Over a thousand Christians gather in the Saint-Pierre-d’Arène church to attend the Valentine’s Day Recital organized on the Sunday following February 14th.
In Grenoble, this day is dedicated to distributing love letters to passersby, an initiative by the Youth Assembly of the Diocese of Grenoble. Over 2000 letters of God’s love are distributed. Their principle is to perpetuate the Word of God during this increasingly commercial celebration.
In Saint Germain-en-Laye, many couples, married or not, gather around a candlelit dinner, regardless of their religious beliefs. It’s a moment to remind lovers to value their partner and manage differences. It’s an evening of exchanges and testimonies hosted at Saint-Germain parish.
What Faith-Related Gift to Offer to Your Love?
Finding the ideal gift for the love of your life can be a challenging task as it needs to speak to them and reflect your faith as well. The website Holyart.fr, a vendor of religious accessories and items, offers in its Valentine’s Day catalog, products that showcase your love for God.
In its extensive list of items to offer for Valentine’s Day, you will find various pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and keychains in the shape of a cross and heart. There are also bracelets and rings with the Gospels. The online store even offers heart-shaped scented candles and rosaries in all shapes and colors.
