Curate’s Musings
In search of Valentine(s)
I suspect many a postman and postwoman think that I’m a right Casanova, given the number of cards that they put through my letter box every February 14th. But then they probably don’t know that they are pretty well all birthday cards, being a Valentine’s baby. In fact, it’s probably a good job my parents had already decided that, if I turned out to be a boy, I was going to be a David Andrew; otherwise I might well have been christened Valentine. (Not of course, I hastily add, that there’s anything wrong with being called Valentine; it’s just that I’ve always felt much more like a David!)
So who was Valentine, how come he’s remembered on February 14th and why is his day so associated with cooing doves, secret lovers and courting rituals? Great questions, even if the answers are all a bit fuzzy.
First of all we have to go back to Roman times and not one, but two Valentines.
The first Valentine was a bishop in the third century, who was taken to Rome and martyred in 273. His remains were taken back to a place called Terni for burial and, in the eighth century, a basilica was dedicated to his memory on the Flaminian Way, the road which links Rome to Terni.
The second Valentine – known as Valentine of Rome – was also a priest and he too was martyred in the middle of the third century. His death actually occurred on the Faminian Way itself and a basilica to him was erected, supposedly on the spot of his execution between 642 and 649.
So, two Valentines, two basilicas, one road. Over time the two stories became confused and muddled up, with just one conflated saint emerging from the mess. (Indeed, there are some who argue that there was even a third chap called Valentine who’s been added to the rich brew of sainthood!)
And if that isn’t murky enough for you, when we turn to the date of 14th February, no one seems to have the foggiest clue where that comes from. Normally saints are celebrated on the anniversary of the day they died or on a date particularly associated with their life. But in the case of Valentine(s), there are so few details known, that that wasn’t possible. What we do know is that the date was set in concrete as far back as the 8th Century; perhaps they had a reason back then – if so, perhaps one day we’ll discover it.
And doves and lovers? Well, the Romans had a festival called Lupercalia that ran over February 14th, but that centred on purification and health, rather than fertility and love; so that may not be it. A linkage with courtly love seems to have emerged in the Middle Ages, apparently by thanks to the mating rituals of certain songbirds in the early Spring. The association was then spurred on by the port John Donne, who wrote a marriage song for Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I. She married Frederick V, Elector Palatine in 1632 on – yes, you guessed it – February 14th.
Whatever its origins, St Valentine’s Day gives us all an opportunity to think of those we love and have loved. For Christians, it’s an opportunity to acknowledge an all-loving God; a God who blesses those who love one another, just as Jesus implored his disciples to do.
Happy Valentine’s. God bless.