Editor’s note: This week we welcome writer Tara Yilmaz and her “Did You Know?” column, where she is digging in deep on the true story of Valentine’s Day. I happen to know it is one of her favorite holidays.
Feb. 14 is the day for showing love and affection and gifting chocolates or maybe diamonds to the one you love.
Valentine’s Day is either a great holiday or a day that you wish was never invented. How you feel about the day depends on your relationship status. If you’re married or in a committed relationship, then you have a built-in valentine. If a person is in the dating stage, then whether you plan on celebrating the love holiday together needs to be negotiated at least two weeks in advance. If you are single, then grab your favorite gal pal or pal and hunker down on the couch while binge-watching television shows.
How a person decides to spend Valentine’s Day is a decision that is not taken lightly, and, in my opinion, there are two objectives for surviving the holiday. First, choose the option that serves your best interest. Even if that means going home and hiding under the covers in darkness until Feb. 15. Second, avoid being around or becoming the “I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because I can show my love all year long” type of person. If you’re broke … then just say that.
Now that I’m done standing on my soap box, this article is not focused on celebrating Valentine’s Day – it’s about learning the history behind the men who influenced one of Edible Arrangements’ largest profit days.
Did you know there were two patron saints of Valentine’s Day? According to Vatican News website The Roman Martyrology – the official martyrology of the Catholic Church – lists two Valentines for Feb. 14. It states, “On Feb. 14th, on the Via Flaminia in Rome – the ancient Roman road leading from Rome – St. Valentine, priest and martyr, after performing various healing miracles, and known for his culture, was killed by decapitation under Claudius Caesar.” The second one states: “On Feb. 14th, in Terni, after being severely beaten, St. Valentine was imprisoned and since they – his captors – were unable to overcome his resistance, they secretly dragged him out of prison at midnight and beheaded him on the orders of Placidus, the prefect of Rome.
Did you know the story of the Roman priest Valentine dates back to A.D. 270? Valentine was known for his sanctity, and Emperor Claudius Gothicus was fascinated with his popularity among the Romans. The emperor invited Valentine to his palace and befriended the humble priest. During the visit, Emperor Claudius tried to persuade Valentine to worship the mythical Gods. True to his conviction, Valentine told the emperor, “It was a waste of time worshipping the gods since Jesus Christ had brought the only true hope and the promise of a better world.”
Impressed with Valentine’s faith, the emperor assigned him to a Roman nobleman named Asterius. Entrusting Valentine to Asterius was built on ulterior motives to convert the priest to paganism. Like the old saying goes, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” The emperor’s plan for converting Valentine was foiled when the priest healed Asterius’ blind daughter through prayer. After performing the miracle of healing the blind, Asterius became a believer in God and converted to Christianity. When the emperor learned about Asterius’ conversion, he condemned Valentine and executed him on the Via Flaminia in Rome.
Did you know the story of Bishop of Terni took place 70 years after the priest Valentine? Again, in Rome, Valentine accepted the invitation to visit the philosopher Crato. Known for being a teacher of Greek and Latin, Crato had a son named Chaeremon, who endured a physicial deformity that prevented him from lifting his head above his knees. For years Crato sought out doctors to cure his son, to no avail. Promising half of his worldly possessions to Valentine if he cured Chaeremon, the bishop told Crato that it won’t be his wealth that cures his son, but his belief in the one true God.
The bishop prayed over Chaeremon and miraculously his deformity was cured. After watching Valentine heal his son, Crato and his entire family and three of his students were baptized including Abbondius, the son of the Prefect of Rome Placidus. Infuriated about the conversion of his son, Placidus ordered Bishop Valentine to be decapitated also on the Via Flaminia in Rome.
Did you notice the connections between the story of the priest Valentine of Rome and Bishop Valentine of Terni? Their martyrdom is reason enough to believe they are one and the same. Both Valentines showed strong testimonies of faith, healed the sick and guided conversions. Most importantly, both Valentines were martyred on the Via Flaminia in Rome.
In conclusion, if you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone and find yourself stuck in a conversation with a nebby person asking about your plans … Tell them, you will be celebrating the martyrdom of The Priest and Bishop Valentine.
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