In today’s secular world, Valentine’s Day is a celebration for sweethearts. It is adorned with images of red or pink hearts, candy, cute cards, and notes exchanged between crushes, or flowers presented to significant others.
Cupids are often depicted shooting arrows, seemingly forcing individuals to fall in love. Men and women eagerly anticipate a night out for dinner, a movie, or perhaps just a delightful evening at a fancy restaurant, along with gifts like flowers, candy, or jewelry.
In this post, I’ll explain the origins of this tradition and what it truly represents.
The Secular Story of Saint Valentine
The secular view of Saint Valentine has evolved over time, mainly associated with Valentine’s Day on February 14th, emphasizing ‘love’ as primarily romantic or an expression of affection. Various legends and historical accounts surround Saint Valentine.
Not to mention, there is more than one Saint named Valentine. Some historians debate which Valentine influenced our modern traditions, but most agree that it began with the martyr Valentine, presbyter of Rome.
History of Saint Valentine
It all began around AD 269 in Rome when Emperor Claudius needed more soldiers. Men were weary of going off to war since they knew what their fate would be. They preferred to get married and start a family.
This angered Claudius and he decided to ban men from marrying until they had fulfilled their military obligations. When a priest named Valentine heard about this, he decided to help couples in secret to unite and bless them.
Valentine understood marriage to be a sacrament, not something to be denied to the people. His acts, including aiding Christians sentenced to death, continued even during his imprisonment.
Ultimately, Valentine was beheaded on February 14th (Valentine’s Day). His concerns extended beyond the ‘romantic,’ as he understood God’s love, sacrificing his life for the good of others.
More about the martyr Valentine, presbyter of Rome.
Saint Valentine in Orthodox Tradition
In the Orthodox Christian tradition, Saint Valentine emerges not as the symbol of a secularized love fest but as a figure celebrated for virtues that transcend the romantic narrative. Recognized within the Orthodox Church (although he is usually commemorated on July 6th or 30th), Saint Valentine’s story unfolds within a historical context marked by steadfast faith and commitment.
Unlike the romanticized version prevalent in popular culture, the Orthodox perspective sheds light on a story rooted in Christian values. Within the Orthodox tradition, saints like Valentine are venerated for their exemplary lives, often characterized by acts of love, compassion, and devotion to God.
Their stories are not only commemorated but also serve as beacons of inspiration, guiding believers toward a deeper understanding of faith and the journey of Theosis (becoming like God). Exploring Saint Valentine in the Orthodox Christian context takes us beyond the norm, providing a view filled with deep spirituality and historical truth.
More information on Valentine and God’s love
Saint Valentine’s Virtues in Orthodoxy
The virtues associated with Saint Valentine light up a path of profound faith, unshakeable commitment, and selfless love. Saint Valentine’s defiance of Roman authorities to perform marriages for Christian couples shows his courage and dedication to the sacramental view of marriage in the Orthodox tradition.
His compassion and acts of kindness reinforce the importance of love grounded in genuine care for others. While specific stories may vary, the overarching theme of Christian love, known as agape, permeates the narrative of Saint Valentine.
In exploring these virtues, we find practical lessons applicable to our daily lives — a call to embody selfless love, to stand steadfast in our faith, and to extend compassion to those around us. Saint Valentine’s life becomes a light guiding us to navigate our own relationships with a spirit of devotion, kindness, and a profound commitment to the principles inherent in Orthodox Christianity.
Through his example, believers are inspired to weave the virtues of faith, love, and compassion into their everyday existence.
More sources on Saint Valentine
Agape and Love Beyond Romance
In English, we only have one word for love, but in Greek, there are several that are used for different forms of love. The word Philo refers to friendship or brotherly love and comes from the term philanthropy.
The word Eros refers to romantic love (think of the English word ‘erotic’). Agape means sacrificial, as in being willing to change or give up your life for others. This is the kind of love we have for our children, spouses, parents, etc.
These are just a few of the Greek terms for love, but not all of them.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
As Orthodox Christians, we stress the importance of love, and when we refer to love, we are pointing to the strongest and purest form of love, a divine love. This is a love that mirrors God’s love for humanity.
When we refer to God’s love of mankind, we are referring to a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love. This form of love is referred to as Agape, which is a Greek term.
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Celebrating Valentine’s Day the Orthodox Way
With all of this in mind, how are Orthodox Christians supposed to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Or should we forgo the holiday altogether?
Orthodoxy has a wonderful reputation for incorporating cultural celebrations into its own, uniting the church with the people. As long as the celebration does not promote evil, it is considered acceptable.
Yes, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with your children by making cute cards to give to their friends. Decorate to your heart’s content with all the pink things.
However, remember to celebrate it as an Orthodox Christian. Celebrate Saint Valentine and his love for humanity, his Agape! Love humanity and your neighbor, being willing to sacrifice when necessary.
Here are some ways you can celebrate Saint Valentine.
Ideas for Celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day!
Prayer and Reflection:
- Begin the day with prayer and reflection, expressing gratitude for the love of God and seeking guidance on how to embody love in daily life.
Attend Church Services:
- Attend a church service or liturgy to mark the day with a focus on spiritual growth and communal worship.
Acts of Kindness:
- Embrace the spirit of love by performing acts of kindness. This could include helping a neighbor, volunteering, or reaching out to someone in need.
Family Time:
- Spend quality time with family, emphasizing love and unity within the household. This could involve sharing a meal or playing games.
Express Love to Spouse:
- Expressing love and appreciation to a spouse or partner through thoughtful gestures, words, or deeds is a meaningful way to celebrate. Flowers and candy are allowed but be sure to really express how much you love and appreciate them too.
Almsgiving:
- Make a charitable donation or volunteer to help out the needy as a way of sharing love with those less fortunate.
Read and Reflect on Scripture:
- Take time to read and reflect on relevant Bible passages that emphasize the importance of love. Research what the church fathers say about those passages.
Write Letters of Appreciation:
- Write letters of appreciation to family members, friends, or colleagues, expressing gratitude and love for their presence in your life.
Create Handmade Gifts:
- Craft handmade gifts or cards with personal touches for family, friends, co-workers, and those in your church community.
Conclusion on Valentine’s Day
While exploring the life of Saint Valentine from the Orthodox Christian perspective, we find a world rich in faith, courage, and selfless love. Recognizing the distinctiveness of God’s love, shown in the sacrificial agape of Saint Valentine, invites us to approach Valentine’s Day with a renewed understanding.
Beyond the cultural expressions of love, let us anchor our celebrations in the divine love that transcends mere sentimentality. As Orthodox Christians, our journey is one of continuous growth in spiritual depth, compassion, and faith.
May the lessons drawn from Saint Valentine’s life inspire us to embody the virtues of love, kindness, and self-sacrifice, transforming our celebrations into meaningful expressions of Christian love in action. This Valentine’s Day, let us accept the call to love one another as Christ has loved us, finding joy in the authentic and everlasting love rooted in our faith.
After learning about Agape Love and Saint Valentine, how are you planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Let everyone know in the comments!
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I learned some things I didn’t know about St Valentine, and I love how you correlated it into a message of God’s love for us. Great information and advice!
That was a very interesting information on St. Valentine. I never knew there was a real person behind the holiday.
Thanks for your post!
I loved reading this post because I love hearing about other religions traditions. I knew St. Valentine was a person but I learned so much about him from this post. Thank you for sharing!
I enjoyed your article. Me and the family will be doing some crafts for our extended family to show them how much we love them.