Devolution

Submitted February 8, 2005

The Devolution of St. Valentine's Day

by Matushka Barbara Bruce

Originally, in ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honor Juno, the Queen and patron goddess of women and marriage. Juno was also the Queen over all the Roman gods and goddesses.

The following day, February 15th, began the ancient festival of Lupercalia, a fertility rite. Among the celebrations, names of Roman girls were chosen by young men, from a jar, and they would become their "partners" for this festival.

Somehow, this date later became embroiled in the Roman Catholic Church to try to counteract Lupercalia.

St. Valentine's Day is actually on July 6. He was a priest in Rome during the days of Claudius II. The saint was eventually arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome for confessing Christ as God. A senior official called Asterius was commanded to keep St. Valentine under house arrest, and try to persuade him to renounce his faith. This would indeed be a low blow to the Roman Christians if this could be accomplished.

Instead, St. Valentine brought Asterius and his whole household to the true faith, and baptized them all. The turn of the tide came when St. Valentine miraculously healed Aterius' blind daughter, in the name of Christ. When the Emperor found this out, Asterius and his family died a martyr's death. St. Valentine was beaten with clubs, and then had his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom in the year 270.

Every day there are literally dozens, sometimes thousands of Christian saints commemorated. Today, the "commemoration" of this particular saint has become so mixed up, it is completely contrary to itself.

Unbridled sensuousness abounds, and "Valentine's Day" has devolved into a modern excuse for adult Lupercalian orgies... a day when lustful passions are celebrated.

Commercialism runs rampant. As soon as Christmas decorations are torn down, grocery stores display Valentine's Candies and chocolates. You must buy your loved one an expensive gift. You must do this and that. The innocent, sweet exchange of Valentine cards from bygone days has almost been almost eradicated.

In celebrating a particularly venerated "Saint's Day", a Christian goes to church, receives Holy Communion, perhaps gives alms, visits the elderly and the sick, keeping the day pure, holy, and God-pleasing.

This is a true expression of love, for God, family, friend, neighbor, spouse, and loved ones.



Volume 7 Number 7 - Tuesday, February 15th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY