As Valentine’s Day approaches, plans are being made, lovers
are getting cuddlier and single men and women are sulking in annoyance. The day
of love is about chocolate, love, affection and beautiful gifts. It is yet
another holiday that Africans adopted from the West. But how many people really
know the history behind this romantic holiday? As great as it is to celebrate
love, it is even greater when you know the origins of the holiday you are
celebrating.
Reportedly, there were three early Christians saints named Valentine, but the
one who was the genesis of the holiday was probably based on is a Roman priest
who lived during the 3rd Century A.D under Emperor Claudius II.
At the time the Roman Empire was going through a period of
massive turmoil. During that time, which was dubbed the Crisis of the Third
Century by scholars, Claudius made an unpopular decision to ban marriage between
young people. Claudius was having a hard time recruiting soldiers to fight in
the army because only a few were willing to leave their wives and families. Thus
due to desperation, he banned engagements and marriages. He believed that
unmarried soldier were more focused and fought better than married ones.
This decision was not met with open arms and resulted in
people getting married in secret. One priest who dared to defy the emperor by
officiating marriages in the sly was a Valentine. The brave priest believed
that marriage was a God-given sacrament and thus a right. He was eventually
caught and imprisoned and sentenced to death. While in prison, Valentine
received flowers from those who wished him well. Sadly, the priest was
ultimately beheaded but was later named a martyr by the church. He was honored
because of his willingness to sacrifice his love to perform the sacrament of
marriage and for his love of love and God.
It must be
noted that before Valentine’s execution, on February 14, a significantly less
romantic Roman holiday called Lupercalia was celebrated.
At the end
of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 to be St. Valentine's
Day. As years went by authors like Geoffrey Chaucer and Shakespeare
romanticized the day and it gained popularity.
Valentine’s
Day should not just be about chocolate or single awareness day or thousand
dollar jewelry. If there is anything we can take from the story of St.
Valentine is that, February the 14th should be a reflection of what
love means, and that there are some people who are willing to sacrifice
themselves for us to love and be loved. So, let us not squander this holiday, love
should be shown every day, not just on Valentine’s Day.
Post a Comment