The Feast of Saint Valentine

January 9, 2018

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is a holiday observed on February 14. Today it is known as a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of love and romance across the world. But did you know that on this day we honor more than one saint named Valentinus?

While most assume only one saint is remembered on this feast, the Church in fact honors three Saints Valentine , and there was even a Pope Valentine.

What does the name Valentinus mean?

Valentinus is a Latin name meaning strong and powerful. It was a common name between the second and eighth centuries AD.

The First Valentine: Saint Valentine of Rome

In the third century, a Roman priest named Valentine served in Rome under the Emperor Claudius, who had forbidden his soldiers from entering into relationships or marriage, believing that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine did not share the Emperor's views and continued to perform weddings in secret for young soldiers in love.

When Claudius discovered that Saint Valentine had disobeyed him by performing secret weddings and ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire, he had him beheaded on February 14, 269 AD. This is why the martyred Christian saint became known as the patron saint of forbidden love, engaged couples, and all who wish to marry. Even as he awaited execution, young lovers continued to visit him, slipping him notes that spoke of how love is greater than war.

Did you know?

Valentine gave the married couples flowers from his own garden as a wedding gift, which is why flowers play such an important role on Valentine's Day to this day.
Saint Valentine's skull, adorned with flowers, is on display in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. Other relics of the saint are venerated in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Scotland, England and France.

The Second Valentine: Saint Valentine of Terni

The second Valentine was a priest jailed for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire. During his imprisonment, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter and, before his death, sent her a card signed "Love, your Valentine." This is the origin of the loving notes and greetings we still call valentines today. He was eventually beheaded and buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics rest at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).

The Third Valentine

The third saint is named in early martyrologies under the date of February 14, though little else is known about him (The Catholic Encyclopedia).

Valentine's Day in the Holy Land

As in many Western societies, Valentine's Day is celebrated in the Holy Land on February 14. People exchange gifts of affection: flowers, cards, chocolate and treasured keepsakes. Many Christians also pray for greater love and peace in the Holy Land, given the prevailing political situation. "Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:14)

Whether you are single or in a relationship, let these Bible verses encourage you to celebrate. For God has an unconditional and indescribable love for us.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:12)
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7 to 8)
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

Spoil your loved ones this Valentine's with one of our olive wood heart shaped plates.

Olive Wood Heart Shaped Plate: an elegant and beloved carving in Holy Land olive wood, shaped in Bethlehem with great care. A meaningful table piece for any Christian home.

We at Bethlehem Handicrafts are proud to put the Holy Land in your hand by giving you the finest original Bethlehem olive wood carvings, crafted with care in the Holy Land.