Valentine's Day: A So Called Celebration of Love
Valentine's Day is celebrated annually on February 14th. It's a day dedicated to expressing love, care, and affection for loved ones. You likely found the irony in that statement, given its origins. Regardless, it's widely considered one of the most romantic days of the year. However, few people are aware that Valentine's Day traces its roots back to pagan festivals, celebrated for entirely different purposes.
Pagan Roots: The Feast of Lupercalia
Valentine's Day can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where it was celebrated as the feast of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a pagan festival held in mid-February to ward off evil spirits, purify the city, and promote fertility. This festival honored Lupercus, the Roman god of fertility, and Juno, the goddess of love. The three-day celebration commenced on February 13th and concluded on February 15th.
During the festival, priests of Lupercus, known as Luperci, gathered at the Lupercal, a cave where Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been nursed by a she-wolf. Located at the foot of the Palatine Hill, the Lupercal served as the site for a purification ritual. Priests would sacrifice a goat and a dog, and smear the blood on the foreheads of two young men. These young men would then run through the city, naked, striking women with strips of the animal hides. This ritual was believed to enhance women's fertility and increase their chances of conception.
Furthermore, Lupercalia served as a matchmaking event. Young men and women would gather in the streets, drawing names from a box. The paired individuals would remain together for the duration of the festival, and sometimes even longer.
The Legend of Saint Valentine
Another legend associated with Valentine's Day involves Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr from the third century A.D. Emperor Claudius II, believing that unmarried men made better soldiers, banned marriage for young men. Saint Valentine, a Christian priest, defied this order and continued to perform marriages in secret.
When the Emperor discovered Saint Valentine's actions, he was arrested and sentenced to death. While imprisoned, Saint Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter. Before his execution, he wrote her a letter, signing it "From Your Valentine." This letter is now considered the first Valentine's Day card.
The Merger of Pagan and Christian Traditions
During the Middle Ages, the pagan festival of Lupercalia merged with the story of Saint Valentine. Saint Valentine gradually became associated with love, romance, and marriage, transforming Valentine's Day into a celebration of love and affection.
A Biblical Perspective
From a Biblical perspective, Valentine's Day is prohibited. The Bible, in Deuteronomy 12:29-32, warns against adopting the practices of other nations, including their religious rituals.
here are some more verses...
Deuteronomy 18:9-12 Prohibits following the abominable practices of other nations, including burning children as offerings, divination, and sorcery
Jeremiah 10:2-3 Condemns adopting customs from other religions, even if they are intended to honour God
Deuteronomy 12:30-31 Warns against following the gods of other nations, and says that the Lord hates the abominations they committed
2 Kings 23:7 Describes the destruction of ritual booths in the house of the Lord
Conclusion
Valentine's Day has its origins in the pagan festival of Lupercalia, a celebration focused on fertility and the warding off of evil spirits. While the story of Saint Valentine has been incorporated into Christian tradition, its pagan roots remain undeniable. Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated globally, with people exchanging gifts and cards to express their love and affection. However, its pagan roots remain a significant factor to seriously consider, if you love the God of Abragham, Issac and Jacob that is.
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