This post was scheduled for last Sunday, but events of that week demanded a pause.
The week of Love is also the week of Lent - and the week of Mahaa Shivraatri. The first two come out of the Christian calendar, the latter from the Hindu calendar.
It is interesting to remember that Valentine was possibly a) a priest in Africa, b) a bishop in Interemma, or c) a priest in Rome, under Emperor Claudius II. It is generally believed the venerated one is the Rome-based priest. Rome was often at war and losing lots of men. Claudius was having trouble with recruitment, so banned marriage. The idea was that if you didn't have a 'one and only' (or two or three onlies, as was the Roman way), the lack of attachment made you more inclined to volunteer your service and made a better soldier of you. He thus was condoning random sex and no commitments.
The early church was clear. One man, one woman, sanctity of marriage. Valentine was one of the priests who risked life and limb to defy the ruling. As more and more Romans converted to the Christian teachings, they wished to be married and he was happy to perform the ceremonies. Until he was found out.
Slammed in jail, he wrote many letters to his believers, but also to those not yet converted. One of those was the daughter of his jailor. She was cured of blindness by him and became devoted to him. It is reported that his last letter to her was signed, "from your Valentine".
There it began. Love of God and holding to strong, high values were the core motivations of this saint. Not a rose or chocolate in sight.
...tbc... will pick up on Lent and Mahaa Shivraatri, next week!
The week of Love is also the week of Lent - and the week of Mahaa Shivraatri. The first two come out of the Christian calendar, the latter from the Hindu calendar.
It is interesting to remember that Valentine was possibly a) a priest in Africa, b) a bishop in Interemma, or c) a priest in Rome, under Emperor Claudius II. It is generally believed the venerated one is the Rome-based priest. Rome was often at war and losing lots of men. Claudius was having trouble with recruitment, so banned marriage. The idea was that if you didn't have a 'one and only' (or two or three onlies, as was the Roman way), the lack of attachment made you more inclined to volunteer your service and made a better soldier of you. He thus was condoning random sex and no commitments.
The early church was clear. One man, one woman, sanctity of marriage. Valentine was one of the priests who risked life and limb to defy the ruling. As more and more Romans converted to the Christian teachings, they wished to be married and he was happy to perform the ceremonies. Until he was found out.
Slammed in jail, he wrote many letters to his believers, but also to those not yet converted. One of those was the daughter of his jailor. She was cured of blindness by him and became devoted to him. It is reported that his last letter to her was signed, "from your Valentine".
There it began. Love of God and holding to strong, high values were the core motivations of this saint. Not a rose or chocolate in sight.
...tbc... will pick up on Lent and Mahaa Shivraatri, next week!
Thank you YAM-aunty...I learned something today! I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteHugs HiC
Thanks for the background on "Valentine's Day" - very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes that was really interesting to learn!
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
i have never heard this before either.
ReplyDeleteAnother wrinkle in the old noggin. namaste, janice xx
ReplyDelete