His relics are found in churches from Ireland to the Greek Island of Lesbos, but little is known about Valentino; the patron of Love.
The Catholic Church has recognized several Valentines as saints. The one most accepted as “The” Saint Valentine was the Bishop of Terni who tried to convert emperor Claudius to Christianity. Claudius sort of liked Valentino, but he had no interest in becoming Christian. After all, he was the emperor; a near god himself.
The bishop was tortured and then beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, in the year 273 A.D.; some say 280. I don’t suppose the year matters all that much; at least, not much to me.
Valentino died for his True Love; put to death for wanting others to know Christ.
The romantic traditions of Valentine’s Day have little to do with Saint Valentine, they were mostly a creation of Geoffrey Chaucer over a thousand years later.
A person might say they love flowers, chocolate, their cat; just about anything. Love’s variations of hue and saturation can be a bit confusing.
The ancient Greeks divided love into categories. Philia is often interpreted as brotherly love, but it may be more accurately defined as loyalty to another person or even to a thing. It was Storge that was affection for your children, family, pets and friends. Xenia was hospitality. Eros was romance and desire. Agape was pure and divine.
Saint Valentine’s Love for Christ was Agape.
Christ’s Love for you is Agape.
God is Agape.
God Loves Danica Collins 