I've often wondered how patron saints are chosen. I sometimes imagine celestial arm-wrestling matches with the winners getting the best holidays, or maybe some saints just have better public relations people than others. In reality, a great deal of consideration is given when selecting a patron saint, and there are usually obvious connections between saints and their causes.Take our friend Valentine, for instance. Around the year A.D. 270 in Rome, emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage, fearing that married men would make inferior soldiers. Apparently approval ratings weren't quite as important in politics back then. Valentine, bishop of Interamna, invited couples to come see him and marry in secret.
Claudius, obviously not a romantic deep down inside, promptly told Valentine to renounce Christianity or face certain death. Valentine not only refused, but also tried to convert the emperor to Christianity. This so displeased Claudius that he had Valentine clubbed. Then stoned. Then beheaded.. on 14th Feb 270A.D.
And you thought you were a martyr for love!
Details at http://www.linguatics.com/StValentine.html
4 comments:
How is V-Day celebrated in Greece?
Just curious;)...
in modern-day greece..!? the usual. flowers,choco, parties,clubs,bars. but one that interested me the concept of anti-Valentine's Valentine's day parties for singles. Yes, mindy’s No Couples Allowed..;-p)
thanks for stopping by.
/Yuva
Hey thats interesting... theres more awareness about Valentines day now in Mumbai... lots of college kids celebrating it and the various companies (toys/choco/flowers/cell phones/ads) minting and laughing all the way to the bank...(sorry about the cynicism...but it's becoming so commercialised).
Thanks for sharing. I read many versions and this seems satisfying and worthy.
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