St. Valentine’s Day-Lupercalia

Tomorrow is the Feast of Lupercalia-a Celebration to dispelling Evil Spirits and Purification to bring about Healing and Fertility.

Amethyst Heart

 So why do we Celebrate Valentine’s Day instead?
A Day of Lover’s?
Filled with Greeting Cards decorated with Hearts and Cupids?

Pope Gelasius, in 469AD, declared 14 February as St Valentine’s Day to diminish the Pagan Holiday of Lupercalia.

Now I know that many of you believe that Valentine’s Day is the creation of the Greeting Card Industry.  While it is true that 25% of all cards sent throughout the year are Valentines, and that Valentine’s Day commercialization has resulted in Billions being spent by Lovers every year for this day alone, St Valentine’s Day has its roots firmly grounded in the 3rd Century AD.

A Roman Priest named Valentine, decided to go against the wishes of his Emperor, Claudius II, an act that resulted in his Martyrdom on 14 February, 270 AD.  Valentine was arrested for performing illegal Marriage Ceremonies for Soldiers of the Roman Empire.  Emperor Claudius II, believing that marriage would make soldiers more concerned about their wives and Family, outlawed the Institution for all soldiers. He believed that marriage would make them weak. Just when the Empire NEEDED all the strength it could muster.

Valentine disagreed with this edict and would perform the Rites of Marriage for Lovers in Secret.  Becoming known as the “Friend of Lovers”, his actions soon attracted the attention of Claudius.  He was arrested and brought before the Emperor.  Much impressed by the Priest’s Conviction and Dignity, Claudius tried to convert Valentine away from Christianity as Valentine was trying to convert Claudius away from the Roman Gods.  For his refusal to Convert, Valentine was sentenced to Death.

While in prison, Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer of blindness.  He and she became “friendly”.  Just before his execution-on the 14th of February-he wrote her a letter and signed it “From your Valentine”.

For these reasons and from that time on 14 Feb became a day for Men to send hand-written tokens of affection to their Lovers-often decorated with Hearts, Cupids and bits of Lace.